The Superior Express -

Amber Kussman is Brodstone Memorial Hospital's 2019 Employee of the Year. It was fitting this was announced during Hospital Week festivities at Brodstone, which is a weeklong celebration for all staff. Nominations are made for employee of each quarter by staff members. A committee chooses the Employee of the Quarter and annually all employees vote on the Employee of the Year.

Kussman has been employed at Brodstone for 13 years and is the nursing department assistant. She was chosen as Employee of the Year "because

she always goes above and beyond her designated duties and makes herself available to help anyone in need," said her nomination. "She is willing to volunteer with extra assignments and fields concerns with a smile on her face. Amber is great with communication skills and keeps the nursing staff organized. She is efficient at her job and is not afraid to take on new tasks. Amber is always happy and a pleasure to work with."

Employee of the First Quarter was Jacki Siebecker, rehabilitation services office manager and business health coordinator. Siebecker, an eight-year

veteran at Brodstone, was chosen for this honor because "she has a positive attitude and greets everyone with a smile. She brings unity to the therapy department and the hospital by going the extra mile to make sure things go smooth." Her nomination went on to say, "She offers flexible hours to healthy living patients. Jacki worked to further her knowledge of exercise to make the Healthy Living program grow and pursued her National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Training certification. Jacki goes above and beyond by being a part of the Employee Engagement team, and the Gala committee."

Megan McMeen, registered nurse, is Employee of the Third Quarter. She was nominated because she "is passionate about the care for all patients. She follows through on important details that make a difference in people's lives. When a patient enters her work zone, she gives them her full attention." Her nomination continued, "She works at the clinic fulltime and has worked multiple weekends at the hospital. Megan is a team player and interacts well with all personalities. She is constantly adding new knowledge and skills to her already multiple abilities." McMeen has worked at Superior Family Medical Center for 25 years.

Julie Fixemer, clinical laboratory scientist, has been the assistant laboratory director for 16 months. Fixemer's Employee of the Fourth Quarter nomination read, "She works extremely hard and is always pushing the lab to move forward in a positive direction. She is a great teacher and helps staff stay focused on a task. Julie does a great job of explaining an assigned task and welcomes questions. When discussing possible changes, Julie thinks about how it will affect our patients. Julie has done an excellent job of stepping into a leadership role."

The Employee of the Year is usually honored at the Nebraska Hospital

Association's annual conference in October, however the event will not be held this year.