Troup ISD Recognized for Commitment to Workplace Safety and Cost Control
Claims Administrative Services, Inc. (CAS) is proud to announce that Troup ISD, one of more than 350 Texas school districts and colleges participating in the CAS workers’ compensation risk pool program, recently received a safety award reserved for members who achieve superior loss control results.
Troup ISD was formally recognized by CAS at its annual client appreciation event held during the 2024 TASA Midwinter Conference on Jan. 28th in Austin.
The Billy E. Hibbs Safety Award was presented for success in implementing safety programs designed to minimize losses and control workers’ compensation costs.
In recognition of its achievement, the district received a $500 Annie Ozella Jones Scholarship that it can award to a deserving student of its choosing.
“Congratulations to all employees of Troup ISD for their dedication to workplace safety,” CAS said in a press release.
Attaway to present at Texas City Management Association’s annual conference
James Attaway, Quitman City Administrator & Quitman Development Corporation (QDC) Executive Director has been invited to present at this year’s TCMA (Texas City Management Association) Annual Conference in South Padre Island on Friday, June 21. This is a multi-day conference which serves as a key training opportunity for city managers and other key city officials. It offers keynote speakers and educational sessions that include up-to-date information on topics impacting the profession.
Attaway was hired into the role of City Administrator in May 2023 and later as the QDC Executive Director.
He will be joined by Marshall City Manager Terrell Smith and Rollingwood City Administrator Ashley Wayman to lead a session titled ‘“The New City Manager” where each panel member will discuss their experiences as new City Managers and offer advice on what to expect and look out for when entering the role for the first time.
TCMA is an organization of local government professionals dedicated to promoting the highest standards of governance, services, leadership, ethics, and education while embracing individual and regional diversity for the benefit of their membership and the cities of Texas.
For more information, visit www.tcma.org.
UT Health nurses receive DAISY Award for outstanding patient care
Holly Archer, RN
Holly Archer, RN, a nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at UT Health Tyler, received the nomination from fellow CVICU coworker Paige Phillips, who said she has never seen such a daily example of kindness and compassion, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Holly Archer recently received a DAISY Award. (Contributed Photo)
“With every patient that Holly cares for, she completely devotes her 12-hour shift to her patients to ensure they receive the most cohesive and well-rounded care and acts as a true patient advocate,” Phillips wrote in the nomination. “Holly spends her time speaking with and getting to know her patients, making sure they are as comfortable as they can possibly be in their current circumstances, always providing comforts, no matter how small, that these patients can hold on to during their ICU stay to help them feel a little less scared.”
Phillips added that Archer goes above and beyond at work, paying particular attention to patients’ families and loved ones, and outside of work, noting how Archer spent days off during icy weather earlier this year making sure her coworkers were able to get to work safely.
“During the freeze, when nurses were unable to make it to work, Holly spent her days off picking up nurses to go to work before 7 p.m. and coming back before 7 a.m. to take nurses home, as most of our cars aren’t equipped to handle a freeze, and many nurses do not know how to safely drive in it,” Phillips wrote. “These were on her days off, and she spent three- to four-hour long car trips just to ensure that nurses were able to make it to work safely and proper care was able to be given to our patients.
“I have rarely met people capable of the amount of care and compassion that Holly displays, and UT Health East Texas is so lucky to have her working at our facility, advocating for patients on and off the clock.”
Tracy Whinery, BSN, RN
Tracy Whinery, BSN, RN, a wound care nurse at UT Health Quitman, received the nomination from a patient who also works as a nurse at the hospital.
Jennifer Kennimer, RN, who works in the emergency department, said in the nomination that she was worried about a cancer diagnosis in October when she had a large tumor removed from her arm, which left a sizable hole. Thankfully, the tumor was benign, but she still faced a long road to recovery as her wound healed.
She said Whinery accepted the challenge of healing the wound, dressing it several times a week, applying a wound vacuum to help speed healing, and providing instruction on nutrition, vitamins and supplements to help her body heal. What was most meaningful, Kennimer said, was that Whinery also provided her personal cell phone, saying to call at any time if she needed anything or had a question.
Tracy Whinery was honored with a DAISY Award. (Contributed Photo)
“Some days I would be OK with all of it emotionally, other days I just cried and cried. On those days, Tracy took special care of not just my wound, but also me as another human being who was suffering both physically and emotionally,” Kennimer said.
“Tracy has such a calming spirit and an empathetic soul that by the time my dressing was finished, she would give me a hug, wipe my tears away and say, ‘Call me any time.’ I always left feeling hopeful and uplifted and in peace,” Kennimer added.
She said her large wound had completely healed in three months, and she feels the outcome would have been different if Whinery wasn’t her nurse.
“Tracy is an angel in disguise,” she said. “Tracy not only helped heal my wound, but she also helped heal a tiny broken piece of my soul.”
Ammye Parks, BSN, RN
Ammye Parks, BSN, RN, a nurse in the labor and delivery department at UT Health Tyler, received the nomination from a patient’s husband, who said Parks was a great advocate for them as first-time parents.
“Ammye was an angel sent to us, in all aspects, as she provided amazing care to both my wife and son, all the while teaching me tips and tricks on how to care for mom and baby,” the nomination read. “Ammye I felt went above and beyond.
Ammye Parks was honored with a DAISY Award. (Contributed Photo)
“She always looked for new opportunities and ways to better help us out, even as far as giving us breaks to get rest or go outside to get a breath of fresh air,” the nomination continued. “I always knew (my son) was in good hands when he went to go stay with Nurse Ammye!”
All winners received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients and visitors.
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. Today, this program has been implemented in more the 1,900 healthcare facilities, including UT Health East Texas.
Mandy Pugh, RN
Mandy Pugh, RN, also recently received the DAISY Award for outstanding patient care at UT Health Jacksonville.
Pugh was nominated by a patient who said she went above and beyond normal care, never leaving her side and coaching her through her most painful moments.
Mandy Pugh was also recently honored with a DAISY Award. (Contributed Photo)
“God truly knew what He was doing when He put her on the path to becoming a nurse and when He put her on my care team. I am truly blessed, and my heart is overflowing with love for this amazing woman,” the nomination read.
“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me and my family, but most all thank you for putting up with me. I’m sorry I was difficult and stubborn or anything in between,” the nomination continued. “I know I was not easy to deal with, but I’m glad it was you and that God put me in your care. I’m truly grateful for you and for the care you’ve given us.”
As a winner of the DAISY Award, Pugh received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients and visitors.