Frisbie Memorial Hospital recently honored colleagues for their outstanding commitment to patient care, the patient experience, their colleagues, and communities, as well as their dedication to humanitarian and volunteer activities. Each winner was nominated by their hospital peers.
Among the Awards of Distinction presented to the employees was a Frist Humanitarian Award. The Frist Humanitarian Award was created in 1971 to honor outstanding individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities. Named in honor of HCA Healthcare founder, Dr. Thomas F. Frist Sr., this award recognizes hospital employees, physicians, and volunteers who serve the community and those in need, and whose daily dedication and caregiving epitomize the highest standards of quality and personal commitment.
“This is Frisbie’s first time honoring one of our colleagues with a Frist Humanitarian Award since we became part of the HCA Healthcare system, and we’re incredibly proud of our nominees for all of our Awards of Distinction,” said Tim Jones, chief executive officer at Frisbie Memorial Hospital. “The award winners are among the best and brightest in healthcare and each day they demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality care, and a positive experience for all of our patients, and to serving our community.”
The award winners are, with information from their nominations:
Awards of Distinction
Frist Humanitarian Award – Physician
William Morgan, MD, of Rollingsford
General Surgery
General surgeon William Morgan, MD, joined Frisbie Memorial Hospital in early 2022, and hit the ground running. He is committed to collaboration with his clinical colleagues across all service lines, and when he is not in the OR, he has taken it upon himself to get into the Greater Rochester community to engage with primary care physicians, nursing home residents and others to provide guidance, and tips for staying healthy. He not only brings significant experience to Frisbie with more than 20 years as a surgeon in Wisconsin, he also brings his infectious enthusiasm and positive outlook to help Frisbie provide the best possible care to its community.
Nursing Excellence – Compassionate Care
Annalese Balser, RN, of Wolfeboro
Resource Team
Annalese was hired at Frisbie in 2006 as a nurse on the resource team and in 2016 she was promoted to supervisor. Annalese is known throughout all departments — clinical and non-clinical — for her innate ability to problem solve, particularly in critical, quickly evolving situations while continuing to provide compassionate care for patients in her department and beyond. When the Frisbie operating room suite flooded in February due to burst pipes, Annalese quickly determined the scope of the flood, notified all necessary staff and emergency personnel including local police and fire departments. Her quick thinking saved the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars and enabled the hospital to continue to care for its patients. On a daily basis, Annalese is known for jumping in and assisting with patients on the inpatient units as well as the emergency department and behavioral health. She goes the extra mile to ensure that patients and staff are well cared for and treated with compassion.
Nursing Excellence – Professional Mentoring
Ermelinda “Ermie” Ramsey, RN, of Middleton
Surgical Services
Ermie was hired at Frisbie in October 2006 as a medical assistant and two years later she was promoted and became an RN on the float pool. In 2016, she was promoted again and became an RN in surgical services. During her seven years in surgical services, Ermie has been one of the most recognized employees by her peers, specifically for consistently going above and beyond expectations. She is a strong preceptor and makes quick and appropriate decisions. She is an informal leader, has an outstanding work ethic, is flexible and committed to her team.
Colleague of the Year
Melanie Bieniek of Barrington
Director of Rehabilitation Services
Mel joined Frisbie in March of 2017 as the director of rehabilitative services. Since joining Frisbie, Mel has consistently brought her passion for patient care to all that she does, leveraging quality and accountability. In addition, she has enhanced the quality outcomes with her team of therapists and aides. She is known throughout the hospital as an exceptional leader, strong communicator and collaborator, and is always open to new ideas and has the ability to “rally the troops.”
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About Frisbie Memorial Hospital
Frisbie Memorial Hospital is a 112-bed hospital, and its comprehensive network of medical providers are committed to delivering the highest quality care to residents of the Greater Seacoast region and Southern Maine. Through the adoption of best medical and surgical practices designed to improve the care and recovery of patients, Frisbie has been recognized as a leader in the areas of patient safety, hospital safety, surgical safety, and patient satisfaction. Frisbie Memorial Hospital, along with Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Parkland Medical Center in Derry, is a member of HCA Healthcare’s Capital Division, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. In 2021, our facilities paid $43.8M in state and local taxes including $12.2M of income, property, and sales/use taxes, provided $15.8M in uncompensated care. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
FMH Awards of Distinction 2023: Frisbie Memorial Hospital recently honored its Awards of Distinction winners, including its first Frist Humanitarian Award winner. From left, Megan Gray, chief nursing officer; Colleague of the Year Mel Bieniek, director of rehabilitation services; William Morgan, MD, Frist Humanitarian Award winner – Physician; Nursing Excellence – Compassionate Care winner Annalese Balser, RN; and Tim Jones, chief executive officer. Not pictured Ermelinda Ramsey, RN.