Massillon resident Kristen Fowler was named Aultman Hospital’s Employee of the Year at the annual Employee Recognition Dinner. The Employee of the Year award is designed to recognize employees who consistently go above and beyond their job expectations, while demonstrating the mission and vision of Aultman Health Foundation.

Fowler is a well-deserving recipient of the honor. As a staff nurse in the Invasive Heart Lab, Kristen continuously performs at a high level regarding patient satisfaction and clinical competence. However, her award recognizes much more than that. She literally served as the difference between life and death for a very lucky man.

Kristen wasn’t even working, but just happened to be at Aultman visiting family one day. She stepped out into the main lobby to make a quick phone call when a delivery man in her vicinity suddenly collapsed. The gentleman's colleague recalled that Kristen "was simply amazing," stating that she immediately jumped into action, skillfully assessing the victim and confidently initiating CPR - managing the scene until a team member from the security department arrived with a defibrillator. Together, they resuscitated the victim, who then received further lifesaving treatment at the hospital.

“Kristen’s amazing actions that day truly exceeded expectations,” said Sue Olivera, vice president of human resources. “We are so fortunate to have such an outstanding employee and leader here at Aultman.”

This year’s event was held May 18 at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, with more than 800 employees in attendance, celebrating milestones ranging from five years to 50 years of service at the organization.

Two Aultman employees celebrated their golden anniversaries with Aultman. Both Carol Horst, of Wooster and Kathleen Neff, of Canton were honored for 50 years of service - and received long and well-deserved rounds of applause for reaching this milestone.

In addition, a total of 14 “Keys to Success” and “Rising Star” award recipients were honored during the recognition dinner. Keys to Success awards are designed to recognize those individuals whose deeds or actions stand out to their peers as best representing Aultman to patients, employees, the medical staff, the board of directors and the community. The recipients actively promote safety, service and teamwork, in addition to promoting Aultman’s mission and values.

The following Aultman employees (listed with their department and hometown) received Keys to Success awards during the recognition dinner:

• Jared Scaife, Information Systems, of Massillon                                         
• Gretchen Kamerer, Medical Intensive Care Unit, of Massillon                                             
• Jennifer Oliver, Emergency Department, of Canton            
• Michael Vega, AultCare, of Louisville                        
• Paul Mosberger, Building Maintenance, of East Sparta                                           
• Kelsey Binsley, Aultman College, of Bolivar                        
• Laura Vandervaart, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, of North Canton

An additional seven Aultman employees received Rising Star awards. The Rising Star award recognizes employees with less than ten years of service who show potential for advancement, enthusiasm in promoting Aultman and ways to improve services offered. The award recipients (and their departments and hometowns) are:

• Briana Reardon, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, of Dennison
• Kellie Slabaugh, Financial Services, of Dalton
• Lindsay Weeman, Integrated Health Collaborative, of Aurora          
• Alex Hallman, Building Services, of Alliance
• Courtney Wiener, Medical Intensive Care Unit, of Massillon
• Deanna Woolf, Aultman College, of Louisville
• Mariah Labus, Aultman Specialty Hospital, of North Canton

Congratulations to all of the Aultman team members who were recognized!