Kettering Health

Congratulations to Kim "Robin" Mongold, Soin Medical Center's Sunflower Award winner! Robin works in the EVS unit and was nominated by a coworker who shared: "Robin not only goes above and beyond to support our staff, but our patients as well. Robin goes out of her way to greet each and every patient whose room she enters. She is always kind and compassionate. She is there to listen to our patients when they need someone to talk to. Just recently a patient in the ICU underwent a very traumatic experience and Robin was there to listen to the family when they needed someone to talk to. She went out of her way to bring the family food so they didn't have to leave their loved one's side. It absolutely made the patient and family's day brighter. Robin is an incredible coworker and person to be around. The staff and patients are eternally grateful for her." Way to go, Robin!

Congratulations to Maddy Ponchilla, Kettering Health Dayton's DAISY Award winner! Maddy was nominated by a patient's family member, who shared: "My 77-year-old husband had open heart surgery and was in SICU for 12 days. The first time Maddy introduced herself, I knew my husband was going to get the best care, and Maddy had the knowledge to take care of him. As a 47-year ICU RN, I would hire her in a heartbeat. Maddy would reassure me with explaining everything and why things were being done. She worked diligently helping my husband to be comfortable and for me to understand the issue more than once. She would always ask me questions. That made me feel I was not bothering her. She works professionally and showed a caring attitude. I was exhausted but knowing Maddy was there gave me a calming effect. Maddy was like family to us. I looked forward to seeing her; she has a great personality. Her knowledge, skills, and intelligence show in her job." Way to go, Maddy!

Kettering Health Main Campus has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals as a High Performing hospital for eight procedures and conditions.

Welcome Erin Packard, nurse practitioner, to Kettering Health Medical Group Cardiothoracic Surgery! In her spare time, Erin enjoys traveling with her husband, especially to Pittsburgh, to see the Penguins and Steelers play. She also loves reading, cooking, and spending time with her family. Erin is originally from Dayton and has a great passion for helping serve the community that she grew up in. Learn more about her: https://bit.ly/3xTQHM9

Congratulations Sarah Verkamp, Kettering Health Washington Township's Sunflower Award winner. Sarah works in Med Surg. Her nomination shared: "Sarah is thoughtful and caring, collaborative with other members of healthcare team, compassionate, energetic, eager to make a special connection and always willing to go above and beyond. She made me a priority and made me feel comfortable in the hospital setting. She's not just a terrific nurse but a friend. She was always willing to go out of her way for ice water, etc. She even left me a note on my water cup that I woke up and read and it made me smile!" Way to go, Sarah!

Dr. Rachelle Dulan Hood developed a four-week, video-based program called "Food Is My Medicine" to help her patients who don't have convenient access to fresh food or knowledge about preparing healthy meals.

Dr. Harvey Hahn is leading an effort to train providers and promote whole-person care thanks to a grant from the Ardmore Foundation.

Congratulations to Tim Sholder, Kettering Health Main Campus's DAISY Award winner! Tim was nominated by a patient's family member, who shared: "On the evening my husband was moved from the CTCU to a stepdown unit, it was a tough transition. I was heading down the hall in tears when I passed Tim. He stopped and asked if everything was okay, and I explained what happened. He said he was going to check on him, and he did, and things became much better. Tim truly cares about his patients and their families. Tim always went above and beyond doing his job as a nurse. It was important to him that his patients' pain was tolerable and they had everything they needed and always asked our family if we needed anything. He always brightened the room and our spirits, always smiling, and had us smiling and laughing with him during a difficult time for all of us. You could tell that he truly cared about his patients. He wasn't just doing his job. He is an amazing nurse, very caring. Tim was always pleasant and other staff said to us, at times, what a great person he was and that patients loved him. He was a great person to work with. At the end of Tim's shift on his 3rd day straight of working, Tim stopped by and came to see my husband and how things were going and how my husband was doing. That means a lot to all of us. Tim was a Godsend to our family through a very hard and emotional time. He brightened our days and our outlook on things. He deserves to be recognized for the great person and great nurse he is." Way to go, Tim!

Kettering Health is the only health system in southern Ohio to offer MRI-guided focused ultrasound to treat tremors.

Congratulations to Grace Sneizek, Kettering Health Washington Township's Sunflower Award winner! Grace is a physical therapist in the outpatient therapy space. She was nominated by a patient, who shared: "I met Grace at my first PT appointment. I had fallen, which left me with a broken fibula and knee dislocation. On first impression Grace met me with a smile, listened, and genuinely cared. We discussed goals, and I shared with her my goal was to be able to make it to Hawaii. She shared in my excitement and reassured me we would get there. We started solving problems (like adjusting my crutches) and beginning the healing process. For the first few weeks her schedule was booked, and I was on the cancel list. Each week I would get a call to schedule my appointment because Grace understood how much I needed it. We made huge progress both physically and mentally with each of my visits twice per week. Fast forward [a few weeks], I walked into my appointment and burst into tears as soon as I saw Grace. The day before I had been told I was not healing and would likely need surgery. Grace met me with a compassion that I had not seen before. She let me cry, and then we talked through everything. But even before I walked in, Grace knew what to expect as she reviewed my appointment notes with Dr. Welker ahead of my appointment. She was prepared to handle a situation even when I wasn't. She went above and beyond to help me prepare questions to ask, a plan of care to create, and what PT would look like post-surgery. At my follow up, we decided to postpone surgery with my plan for Hawaii still being a possibility. Grace was my cheerleader every step of the way. I have now been in PT for over 12 weeks. We laugh as it was a full maternity leave. Each visit we talk, share, and build a relationship. Grace truly cares, and it shows. She provides a positive energy with every visit, cheering me on as I meet goals and pushed me each visit. It has truly been an amazing journey after a traumatic injury. I have been in healthcare for 13 years. I have never met someone more deserving of this award than Grace."