Last month, a small group of hospital employees were honored for more than 255 years of dedicated service to Humboldt General Hospital.
    In all, 26 employees from a wide range of departments gathered in the hospital's ambulance training room Tuesday, May 10, to be honored for five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service respectively.
    Each received a years of service pin, a small bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates. The short ceremony was followed by refreshments provided by the hospital's kitchen.
    "This is a small token of our esteem," said Humboldt General Hospital CEO/Administrator Jim Parrish to the gathered group. "We really appreciate your service, and you're doing a great job," he added, pointing to the hospital's new medical office building expansion across the parking lot. "Look what you've done; look at what you've accomplished."
    Parrish said that medical positions can be tough to fill because of their highly specialized nature. Once filled, longevity also tends to be an industry problem, "which makes that kind of gathering all the more special," he said later. "Our employees have made a commitment to their positions and we are very grateful for that. Experience makes a huge difference for us."
    Humboldt General Hospital's 2011 "Years of Service" award recipients include: 
    5 Years - Amber Beck, Respiratory; Ana Maria Diaz, Housekeeping; Rick Harrison, Ambulance; Tiffani Laird, ER; Kathy Latty, Med/Surg; Victoria Lopez, Med/Surg; Christina Mathes, Med/Surg; Dave Morris, Maintenance; Craig Prest, Maintenance; Arnold Prissing, Respiratory; Pat Songer, Ambulance; and Lori Zarate, HR/Payroll. 
    10 Years - Yolanda Blanco, Housekeeping/Laundry; Laura Butterfield, Radiology; Polly Landa, LTC; Eusebia Solis, Housekeeping/Laundry; and Gabriel Vera, Housekeeping/ Laundry.
    15 Years - Christine Birmingham, Med/Surg; Yolanda Calderon, Housekeeping/Laundry; Jacqueline Dalley, ER; Guadalupe Diaz, Reception; Rita Kulsey, Housekeeping/ Laundry; Tina Maestrejuan, ER; and Kathy Reed, LTC. 
    20 Years - Lisa Davis, OR; and Margarita Ruiz, Dietary.
    For more information, please call Humboldt General Hospital at (775) 623-5222 or visit www.hghospital.ws.