Six members of the Saint Vincent family named Tenet Heroes for outstanding contributions

Worcester, MA - June 9, 2022  – Saint Vincent Hospital announced today that six team members have been honored by Tenet Healthcare as part of its annual recognition program. These individuals and/or teams were named Tenet Heroes for their outstanding contributions in 2021.

The Tenet Heroes program celebrates those individuals who make a meaningful impact within their communities that goes above and beyond their daily responsibilities. Nominated by leadership and fellow colleagues, Tenet Heroes exemplify the company’s core values and commitment to its mission.

This year, out of more than 100,000 employees and 6,000 physician partners, Tenet selected just 70 individuals or teams to be honored as Tenet Heroes. The following members of the Saint Vincent Hospital family received this honor:

Laura Sterczala	Darlene Toedt	Tiffany Estabrooks
Allison Carter	Dr. Michelle Hadley	Jennifer Baer

• Laura Sterczala, a Conifer patient advocate based at Saint Vincent Hospital, was honored for supporting and advocating for people who need a range of assistance—even when that support goes beyond her job description. Laura's knowledge of the MassHealth programs, along with her positivity and willingness to help others, makes her a go-to person for not only her teammates, but for other areas at her facility. She makes all who seek assistance feel that she truly cares about them individually. People frequently approach Laura for help, and she is able to juggle her workload to assist them with their needs—even if they are not patients of her assigned facility. In Laura's 21 years with Tenet, she has grown to be a knowledgeable and valued employee. She is sought out by many due to her willingness to help as well as her expertise.
• Darlene Toedt, Tiffany Estabrooks and Allison Carter, members of the Conifer patient access leadership team at Saint Vincent Hospital, were honored for their work on the Saint Vincent Hospital Vaccine Collaborative at Worcester State University. They toured an off-site facility, reviewed the registration system and began to implement front-end visitor flows, volunteer daily training, data collection, end of day reconciliation, and countless other items of support for the largest Conifer-supported vaccination site in the country. Over the course of four months, this team was responsible for processing over 85,000 vaccination appointments, 6 days per week, 12 hours per day, while also maintaining their responsibilities and their current roles within the organization. These leaders were recognized for their dedication, determination and teamwork during this unprecedented time, and demonstrated exceptional commitment and service to their community and country. The vaccination program received countless accolades for operational efficiency and ease of access, which was due in large part to their efforts.
• Dr. Michelle Hadley, a Tenet Physician Resources cardiologist practicing at Saint Vincent Hospital, was honored for her unwavering commitment to providing high quality services as 2021 created challenges for patients seeking care. Whether a patient needed a phone call from their doctor to feel at ease about coming in for a routine or much-needed appointment, or a family member anxiously awaited a phone call to understand what their loved one was experiencing when they couldn't be with them due to pandemic restrictions, Dr. Hadley pivoted to fulfill the needs of the patient and identified innovative approaches to care delivery. This comfort-of-care approach was carried throughout the patient journey, which is evident by the large number of positive patient reviews she receives. Her interest in adult congenital heart disease has led to a unique specialty area where she is now known for developing an extensive care model for patients and providers who have patients in need.
• Jennifer Baer, a physical therapist and certified lymphedema therapist at Saint Vincent Hospital Cancer & Wellness Center, was honored for always pursuing new ways to explain the importance of oncology rehabilitation to patients and healthcare professionals alike. When Jen first noticed the need for specialized treatment for lymphedema patients, she proactively sought the training that would help her serve this population and became a certified lymphedema therapist. Jen is now well known for visiting other areas of the hospital to build relationships with colleagues from other disciplines. By working across boundaries and functions, she aims to bring hope to those who are suffering. From family members to home health aides, Jen takes the time to teach everyone involved in a patient's care how to help with exercises, drainage, compression, bandages, and garments. Her long-term commitment to teaching, reinforcing and advancing treatment is unique and a true testament to Jen’s dedication to the patient experience. Jen holds herself accountable for the outcomes of each patient, taking responsibility for their treatment long before they arrive at her office and long after they leave.

In addition to being named Tenet Heroes, Dr. Michelle Hadley and Jennifer Baer were also inducted into the Tenet Heroes’ Hall of Fame—the company’s highest honor. This year, just 23 individuals or teams were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“These remarkable individuals have inspired us through their actions to make a positive and meaningful difference in our community,” said Carolyn Jackson, Saint Vincent Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer.  “We are deeply grateful for their dedication, selfless efforts and commitment to our shared mission.”