Spectrum Health Pennock is asking the public for nominations for the Compassion Award; for special caregivers who excel in their practice of care and move the patient experience from good to extraordinary. “Caring and compassion are at the core of Spectrum Health Pennock values, it is who we are,” said Carla Wilson-Neil, COO at Spectrum Health Pennock. “Choosing just one compassionate caregiver is always a challenge.”

The Compassion Award identifies very special caregivers or colleagues who consistently communicate in a sensitive manner, listen carefully, display empathy and instill a sense of hope. The recipient is announced during the annual Quality & Culture Awards dinner this fall.

For a nominating form for this year’s Compassion Award, contact devi.arunkumar@spectrumhealth.org by Sept. 9 with the  name of the Spectrum Health Pennock colleague or provider being nominated, a detailed description of why they are being nominated, your name, phone number and email for follow up questions. Those with questions can contact Devi Arunkumar at (269) 945-1212 Ext. 2177.

The 2015 Compassion award winner, Lee Stuart, M.D., is a family physician at Spectrum Health Pennock in Lake Odessa. Erica Nyman, a physician’s assistant at Lakewood Family Health Care, nominated him for the award. Stuart said he was very humbled and honored to be given the award. “It’s a privilege to be able to care for people, to be a part of their life and the lives of their families,” he said.

Stuart believes a successful relationship with a patient comes from the confidence they have in their provider. “The key to taking care of patients is having compassion for them. For the patient, that confidence doesn’t come down to how much you know, but how you feel about them, the compassion you show them…medicine is much more than just the physical, it also involves the mental and spiritual aspects of the person. It’s multi-faceted, you’re involved in their lives, are there to help them for a whole lifetime.”