2025 World Class Employee of the Month
Employee of the Month
July 2025
Wendy Parsons, RN
Charge Nurse, Medical/Surgical 3 North
Wendy Parsons, RN, exemplifies Kaweah Health's mission through her exceptional nursing leadership and unwavering commitment to patient care. With more than 21 years of dedicated service, she has become the cornerstone of clinical excellence on 3North and beyond.
Her compassionate approach extends to both patients and colleagues, ensuring Mental Health Workers receive necessary breaks while maintaining patient care. Wendy's expertise transcends unit boundaries — she willingly assists the ER with complex wounds and ostomies, while serving as charge nurse across multiple units when needed.
Known as Eagle Eye by leadership, Wendy consistently identifies clinical orders that don’t make sense for a bedside nurse and suggests fixes that make them more practical.
Wendy's commitment to continuous learning drives her to research policies and collaborate with clinical educators, house supervisors, and nurse leaders. She embraces feedback with remarkable self-reflection, understanding that nursing excellence requires lifelong growth.
Through her mentorship of new staff and willingness to precept across the post-surgical division, Wendy embodies Kaweah Cares values.
June 2025
Alberto Pena
Kaweah Kids Head Teacher
Alberto Pena embodies our mission of excellence as Kaweah Kids Learning Center's lead teacher. Since joining Kaweah Health in 2011, he has demonstrated unwavering dedication to creating transformative educational experiences for the children in his care.
Alberto's commitment to nurturing development is evident in his proactive approach to education. He extends beyond simply providing care — creating an environment where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged. His expertise in individualized attention has produced remarkable results, with parents noting significant improvements in their children's speech and comprehension within just weeks of enrollment.
Alberto's most notable strength lies in his authentic dedication to each child's success. He thoughtfully plans his classroom environment with kindergarten readiness in mind, ensuring every child receives the support they need to build confidence both socially and academically.
His proactive leadership extends beyond the classroom—when Alberto sees something that needs attention, he addresses it immediately, exemplifying the teamwork that makes Kaweah Kids exceptional.
May 2025
David Crowther, PharmD, BCPS
Formulary Management Pharmacist
David Crowther, PharmD, BCPS, embodies our mission of excellence as Kaweah Health's Formulary Management Pharmacist. He handles one of the most critical aspects of hospital operations, managing 75-100 high-impact drug shortages annually with unwavering dedication to patient care.
Drug shortage management is an extremely complicated job that is always changing and challenging. David's commitment to safety and quality care is evident in his proactive approach, often going the extra mile to address shortages before they impact patient care. His expertise in developing multiple contingency plans and coordinating complex solutions makes him the go-to person for shortage-related challenges.
David's most notable achievement was spearheading management of the recent national IV fluid shortage. Beginning in mid-October, he worked tirelessly with nursing, providers, and multiple departments to implement conservation strategies and alternatives. While other organizations canceled surgeries, David ensured Kaweah Health patients with critical IV fluid needs continued receiving treatment.
David is truly the behind-the-scenes hero of our healthcare operations, preventing care disruptions through seamless solutions and fostering a supportive environment for the entire healthcare team.
April 2025
Adela Alvarez
CNA Telemetry
Adela Alvarez has been an invaluable member of our Kaweah Health family for more than 20 years. Her unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care as a CNA in Telemetry truly embodies our mission and values.
Adela's ability to connect with patients ensures they feel supported and comforted during their hospital stay. Her passion for healthcare is evident in every patient interaction.
Adela's compassion extends to her collaboration with all members of the healthcare team. On Halloween night, when she was the only CNA on the floor, she worked tirelessly without complaint, demonstrating her commitment to patient care.
Her relationship-building skills — both with patients and colleagues — have made her respected throughout Kaweah Health, ultimately advancing our mission through her resourcefulness and dedication.
March 2025
Diane Hayes
Grants Coordinator Kaweah Health Foundation
Diane Hayes embodies Kaweah Health's mission through her exceptional work securing grants for patient care programs. As a respected advocate, she skillfully guides departments through complex grant processes with creativity and encouragement.
Her expertise has resulted in unprecedented funding success, including a recent $1.8 million grant. Diane's ability to navigate government grants ensures leaders and staff feel supported as they enhance patient care.
Though not directly involved in patient care, Diane's impact is profound. She identifies opportunities that empower staff to excel through new medical technology, enhanced skills, and innovative programs. Her gentle guidance keeps teams motivated and focused on elevating care standards.
Diane's compassion extends to her collaboration with marketing, crafting compelling stories and patient narratives that highlight Kaweah's commitment to excellence. Her relationship-building skills — both internally and with funding agencies — have made her respected throughout the industry, ultimately advancing Kaweah Health's mission through resourcefulness and dedication.
February 2025
Angel Pena
Security Officer, Acute Psych
Angel Pena is a prime illustration of our promise of compassion. Angel's exceptional composure during high-stress situations, particularly in Acute Psych, exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding healthcare professional. With 17 years of service at Kaweah Health, he has consistently demonstrated remarkable skill in managing code gray situations while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.
His ability to coordinate effectively with RNs and support staff ensures optimal patient care and team safety. Angel's initiative in providing additional coverage during staffing shortages and his flexible approach to workplace challenges make him an invaluable team member. His gentle, soft-spoken demeanor helps de-escalate tense situations, while his professional expertise ensures quality care delivery.
Patients and colleagues alike benefit from his compassionate approach and unwavering dedication to creating a safe healing environment.
January 2025
Brittany McGarrah
Staff Facilitator, General Nursing Float Pool
Brittany McGarrah embodies our mission of excellence. She is a strong staffing facilitator, consistently anticipating the staffing needs of all units with her primary goal of ensuring optimal nurse-to-patient ratios.
Brittany handles one of the most critical aspects of hospital operations. Staffing is an extremely complicated job that is always changing and challenging. Brittany's commitment to safety and quality care is evident in her proactive approach, often going the extra mile to address staffing challenges before they escalate.
Her expertise makes her the go-to person for staffing-related questions, and her willingness to share her knowledge fosters a supportive environment for the entire staffing team. She is truly the behind-the-scenes hero of our healthcare operations.