For Immediate Release
June 14, 2011

(Windsor, ON) Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital on Tuesday night held its annual Legends and Service Awards, paying tribute to three specific individuals for their outstanding contributions to the hospital and community, as well as recognizing dozens of longtime employees for their dedicated service.

The Legends award winners, recognized by their peers, are a physician, an engineer and an ER and admitting clerk. What they share in common is an extraordinary willingness to perform above and beyond their responsibilities to help out patients and colleagues:

Dr. Abdullah Shamisa

Dr. Shamisa is an HDGH neurosurgeon who is being recognized for his incredible generosity to staff and patients.

Most recently, Dr. Shamisa demonstrated his commitment to patient care through his recent efforts to assist a hospital in his home country of Libya, where he put his own personal well being at risk to perform surgery in less than ideal conditions. On Monday, Dr. Shamisa left once again for Libya to assist healthcare workers in the war-torn region.

“He sacrificed his personal time to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Patricia Somers, Senior Vice-President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “He demonstrated great commitment and devotion to his fellow countrymen and women amid struggles for peace and freedom in their homeland, and helped raise awareness of their plight. We are proud of Dr. Shamisa for being part of our team.”

Dr. Shamisa has also been very involved in helping boost healthcare resources here in Windsor-Essex. Back in 2004, Dr. Shamisa was the only neurosurgeon in the region following the departure of two fellow neurosurgeons who left the Windsor area to set up their own practices. Dr. Shamisa dedicated many long hours to those patients who still required care, and actively became involved in the process to recruit additional neurosurgeons to this area. Now, Windsor-Essex has a compliment of four skilled surgeons who provide outstanding neurosurgical service in the Erie-St. Clair Local Health Integration Network.

“Dr. Shamisa is the embodiment of our values of Respect, Compassion, Teamwork and Stewardship each and every day,” said Virginia Walsh, HDGH Director, Surgical Program and Intensive Care.

Don Fraser

In February, two HDGH employees, Pat and Rachel Strong, learned devastating news that their baby girl would be born with spina bifida. The baby, to be named Payton, will require extensive post-natal care in London as well as ongoing expenses associated with her care once she comes home.

Don Fraser, an HDGH engineer and great friend of Pat and Rachel, took a leadership role in organizing a pasta dinner to help raise funds for the family. With strong support from co-workers and friends, Don’s efforts raised $15,000 for the couple.

“Don Fraser has gone above and beyond in showing compassion and caring to our little family to be,” said Rachel Strong. “Instead of worrying about financial matters, we will be able to focus on our little girl when she is born in June. Don Fraser has truly showed us the meaning of compassion and caring, and he has gone far beyond the call of duty of a co-worker.”

Roma Cutrone

Colleagues of Roma Cutrone are pleased to see the dedicated ER and Admitting Department clerk receive a Legends award for her many years of service and just before her retirement at the end of this month.

Roma is described by one colleague as the “go-to” person in the ER and Admitting, providing guidance on a host of issues to help out her teammates – everything from helping nurses obtain correct information on a patient, to helping a co-worker through a registration, to helping out patients with lost health cards or questions about forms. She is a mentor for new employees and a friend who brings in baked goods for staff to enjoy.

“Roma is our friend who is always there to help, listen and to lean on whenever needed,” said colleague Holly Harcus-Lepera. “She has always gone above and beyond her expected/assigned clerical duties and this is why I believe she deserves this very special award.”

Service Awards Recipients

In addition to the Legends Awards, Tuesday night’s event honoured dozens of longtime HDGH employees for their many years of dedicated service to the hospital. A total of 318 staff and 25 physicians who have achieved five- to 45-year milestones of service received service award pins. Together they represent 5,470 years of service to the patients at HDGH.

“I want to thank our Legends and Service Awards recipients for their dedication and commitment to our hospital, and to our community,” said Ken Deane, provincial supervisor for HDGH. “This hospital is blessed to have so many employees who lead by example and leave a legacy to be followed for years to come.”

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital plays a unique role in Windsor-Essex as the regional provider of advanced care in such areas as complex trauma, renal dialysis, cardiac care, stroke and neurosurgery, acute mental health and a broad range of medical and surgical services required to support these specialized areas.

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For more information contact Steve Erwin, Director of Communications at 519-973-4433.