Huron Regional Medical Center (HRMC) honored its January Exceptional Employee of the Month, Karen Brandenburg, RN, with a reception on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.
Brandenburg, who has worked as a nurse at HRMC for more than 32 years and currently works as a supervisor and nurse in the emergency department, was nominated by coworkers to receive the honor. According to nominating coworkers, “Karen is a great leader who is well respected by coworkers and patients alike!”
“She is never afraid to stand up for what is right for our patients and always uses common sense,” the nomination continued. “Karen provides ideas and input to improve services anytime she recognizes a need. She’s also always willing to help wherever needed and was a valuable leader in a recent software system project.”
HRMC’s Exceptional Employee of the Month award recognizes an employee who goes above and beyond to exceed expectations. Employees can be nominated by other employees or by a patient or visitor who witnesses exceptional service. A committee of employees from various hospital departments chooses the employee on a monthly basis and an Exceptional Employee of the Year is chosen at year-end from the 12 monthly honorees. Brandenburg was also honored as Exceptional Employee in 2000.
As January exceptional employee, Brandenburg received a reception with family, friends and coworkers, a meal certificate to a local restaurant, a professional photo session and portrait, $50, a lapel pin and a special parking place for a month.
Brandenburg holds an associate degree in nursing from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. She completed the Program of Practical nursing at Mitchell Area Vocational Technical Institute. Prior to joining HRMC, she worked as a charge nurse at Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs. Brandenburg was recently appointed interim emergency department director replacing Pat Woolridge, RN, BSN, MBA, who has accepted a new position in Pierre, S.D.
She and her husband, DelRoy, life in Huron and have two grown sons who live in the Sioux Falls area with their families. In her free time, Brandenburg enjoys camping, flower gardening and sewing.
(HRMC)