Emily Woyak, Medical Records clerk from Ministry Home Care – Hospice Services, Stevens Point, has been honored with the first-quarter HIGH FIVE Award.

In order to be nominated, individuals have to consistently apply exceptional interpersonal skills with patients, families, peers or colleagues; and demonstrate mutual trust, respect and emotional support to all; make a significant difference and create a sense of community, generate enthusiasm and energy.

HIGH FIVE Award recipients are celebrated for their continuous support of Ministry Health Care’s mission, role-model behavior and compassionate presence in the work place.

Woyak was nominated by associates for the compassion, patience and reassurance she gives patients, their families and every hospice team member.

When hospice patients and families call hospice for urgent assistance, Woyak is the one that answers the phone.

Her co-workers said she consistently provides reassurance and makes sure that each call is handled properly.

Her staff said she is always gracious, kind and has a wonderful sense of humor.

Other Stevens Point HIGH FIVE nominations for this award included Ashley Davis, Stephanie Sommers, Ellyn Wehler and Cindy Barchara.

The HIGH FIVE award was developed by a team from Ministry Health Care to recognize associates in all departments. HIGH FIVE recipients are honored at a department celebration that includes a traveling banner, a “sensory reminder” (chocolate chip cookies) intended to remind recipients of how special their gifts are each time they experience the smell of chocolate chip cookies. In addition, recipients receive a Circle of Friends sculpture, hand-carved and signed by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

Patients, visitors, nurses, employees and clinicians may nominate an associate by filling out a HIGH FIVE Award form located at ministryhomecare.org and dropping it off at any Ministry Home Care agency’s front desk. Nominations are due May 25, 2016, for the June HIGH FIVE recipient.