| For Immediate Release | Contact: Joyce Faria Brennan |
| May 4, 2004 | 508-961-5270 |
| brennanj@southcoast.org | |
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| Kathleen Nelson, PT, Occupational Rehabilitation Team Leader for Southcoast Hospitals Group receives the "Golden Rose Award" from Tom Winters, MD, Chief of Occupational Medicine for The CareGroup Occupational Health Network. | |
The "Golden Rose" Award honors an outstanding achiever in the field of occupational health and is given in memory of the late Lewis H. Millender, MD, of New England Baptist Hospital in Boston. A pioneer in the field of occupational health, Dr. Millender earned a reputation for caring for injured workers with compassion and for his dedication to improving a medical system that was once seen as treating injured workers as second-class citizens.
Conference coordinator Karin Sullivan said the award is given annually to someone who symbolizes Dr. Millender's dedication to being a compassionate caregiver, leader, role model, mentor and pioneer in the field of occupational health.
"Kathleen had numerous nominations highlighting these qualities. This is a very prestigious award and it is the first time in its six-year history that a physical therapist — not a nurse — has been chosen," Sullivan said.
Nelson was nominated by her peers and by local client companies that currently work with her in her role as physical therapist, regional team leader and ergonomics specialist for Southcoast Occupational Health.
Nelson, who lives in Mattapoisett, was presented the award at the conference in March and was visibly surprised when her name was called as the "Golden Rose" recipient.
"This award is a highlight of my career," Nelson said. "I never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Millender, but I have heard many stories about his compassion and caring for injured workers, and how he was determined to help them receive the best care possible. It is a tremendous honor to be chosen for this award in his name."
Southcoast Hospitals Group Occupational Health provides area businesses with comprehensive occupational health and preventative health services such as pre-employment screenings, employee wellness training, physical rehabilitation, injury management and follow-up treatment.
Established in 1987 as WorkMed, a service of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, Southcoast's Occupational Health Services has become the largest and most comprehensive corporate health service provider in the South Coast region with locations at Charlton and St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. For more information about Occupational Health services and programs, please visit www.southcoast.org/occhealth/ or call Southcoast Occupational Health client services at 508-679-7044.
About Southcoast
Southcoast Health System, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes Southcoast Hospitals Group, formed in 1996 from the merger of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast is one of three community hospitals approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to perform open heart surgery and primary angioplasty beginning in Spring 2002.
Media Contact
Joyce Faria Brennan
Phone: 508-961-5270
Pager: 508-387-9605
Fax: 508-961-5876
brennanj@southcoast.org
