Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma has named its top employees for 2013 and one of them is none other than McMinnville resident Kyle Ward.
Before embarking on a medical career, Kyle spent time at the Southern Standard where he worked in the newsroom and in advertising. He was named the Standard’s employee of the year in 2002.
Harton Regional honors an employee of the year, nurse of the year, and director of the year. Ward, MLT, earned the employee of the year recognition.
He is a point of testing coordinator at Harton, joining the hospital’s laboratory in 2009.
In addition to his regular laboratory duties, he is instrumental in coordinating hospital blood drives. His background at the Standard has been put to good use as he is the hospital newsletter editor. Ward is also a leader on the employee team focusing on staff functions. He is the go-to person for staff education on lab procedures.
We here at the Standard always saw the great leadership abilities of young Kyle Ward when he joined us on our staff. During his employment, he gained more responsibilities and always showed an eagerness to excel.
He will forever be remembered for his boating incident on the Barren Fork River. In a moment of unclear thinking, Kyle and two buddies decided to kayak the river shortly after a torrential downpour. Water was racing over the dam like a locomotive.
Yet this looked like an appealing adventure to young Kyle, who made it all of 20 feet before being tossed into the water. He was able to cling to a tree and wait for rescue boats to arrive. Young Kyle was perched high in the tree, but the picture published in the newspaper made it look like he was standing in knee-deep water.
Oh the embarrassment he must have felt.
We got to see the tender side of Kyle when he braved the cold one blustery December day to deliver food baskets for Share A Christmas Dinner. It was cold outside, but Kyle’s act of giving served to warm the hearts of residents throughout Warren County.
Kyle is loved by some, a hero to many. We here at the Standard are proud.
Other honorees include Paula Parker, RN, from Shelbyville, who was selected as nurse of the year, and Pam Goodwin from Tullahoma, who is the quality/ risk director and compliance officer.