December 2025
Alfonso Alvarez, Radiology Technologist
Alfonso is a Radiology Technologist that works in our EP Lab. He consistently goes above and beyond his regular responsibilities, often stepping in to assist in the Cath Lab Department whenever extra help is needed. His willingness to train and mentor staff has made a significant impact, not only on our staff but our physicians. Alfonso approaches every task with a positive attitude, demonstrates exceptional work ethic, and stay away from negativity. He is reliable, professional, and a strong team player.
Cheryl Hutnick, RN, Case Manager
Cheryl is our Rehab Case Manager and has worked at Methodist Hospitals for 30 years.She embodies a caring attitude toward the patients on the unit. When there are tough decisions regarding accepting a patient on the unit, Cheryl is often their greatest advocate. She says, “I really think they deserve a chance.” Cheryl is always willing to help calm agitated patients and regularly checks in on them. She advocates strongly when she feels patients need additional resources. Cheryl has gone herself to pick up equipment from vendors to prevent discharge delays and donated equipment to patients who otherwise would not have needed equipment. She works with families, patients, and insurances and serves as a liaison between physicians and staff to insure all feel heard. Cheryl is alsowilling to assist and has jumped in to assist the nursing staff when they are busy.
Jessica Hefliln, RN, Case Manager
Jessica is a Case Manager on 5W2 and the Neuro ICU nursing units at our Southlake Campus. She thoroughly assesses her patients for discharge needs and follows up as their needs change. Jessica arranges transfers, home health care, medical equipment, and other discharge needs. She builds rapport with patients and family members. Recently, Jessica volunteered to go to a different unit to join a discharge planning conversation with a newly assigned Social Worker, family member, and a patient that had been transferred to another unit. She routinely offers to help and recently helped a newer Case Manager find a home health provider for a patient in IL. Jessica has oriented several new employees who are grateful for her guidance and appreciate her knowledge.
Daneen Purnell-Offard, Microbiology
Daneen in our Northlake Campus Microbiology Lab Department. Several new Microbiology Techs have mentioned her name during their 30-day, 60-day, and 6-month rounding as the person most helpful to them. Daneen covered Southlake as the Lead Representative for Microbiology during Our October 24, 2025, CAP inspection. The Core Lab Supervisor acknowledged how well Daneen did and the inspectors acknowledged how helpful she was. Daneen performs her job in a very professional and compassionate.
October 2025
Daniel LaFrance, Supervisor, Server Systems
and Infrastructure
Daniel is also an Epic Operational Database Administrator. He works in the early morning hours during our regular Epic upgrades in addition to his regular schedule ensuring the system is performing at its peak. He is a role model for the department; consistently positive, encourages and motivates, and is always willing to step in and help others. He has found ways to extend the useful life of the servers and storage system as a good steward of Methodist hospitals’ resources
Marie Yarsh
IT Clinical Department
Marie has brought a wealth of knowledge to our Home Health team. She has taken on challenges and found the best solutions for Home Health. Marie works with Epic to streamline Home Health processes and makes sure that we stay compliant with regulatory bodies. She is a resource for our Home Health employees and provides side-by-side training. Marie troubleshoots problems and solves them with a hands-on approach. She is involved in every facet of Home Health Care, making sure they can deliver evidence-based care.
September 2025
Michelle Gates, Trauma Surgical Technologist
Northlake Surgery Department
Michelle demonstrates exceptional dedication, skill, and teamwork. She stepped up without hesitation to help cover open shifts, ensuring that the department continued to run smoothly and that patient care was never compromised. Michelle is proactive, has attention to detail, and is committed to safety. She identified a malfunctioning piece of equipment before a case, allowing time to assess the situation and come up with a plan for scheduled surgeries. Michelle demonstrates remarkable anticipation, efficiency, and strong clinical judgment during every procedure she assists with. She is pursuing a nursing degree which reflects her strong commitment to continuous learning and advancing her role in patient care.
Eddie L. Scott, Sr., Chaplain
Spiritual Care Department
Eddie consistently goes above and beyond his normal duties to support our patients, family members, and hospital staff. At our Southlake Campus, Chaplain Scott provided bereavement support to a family in our ICU. After praying with the family and providing additional support in the ICU Waiting Room, he was asked to be the Officiant for the Funeral Service. Chaplain Scott agreed to be the Officiant and provided the service on his day off at Smith Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home. In addition, Chaplain Scott sang a song and provided Words of Comfort. He provides quality compassionate care not only in the hospital, but in the community as well
August 2025
Ruby Bailey, RN, Midlake Campus
Ruby is a dedicated employee who takes her role to heart and is eager to assist. Ruby works with all 6 of our providers, helping with medication refills, procedures, and wherever assistance is needed in our clinic. She has been very instrumental in the success of eliminating excessive calls regarding unfilled refills for our patients. Ruby assures that all of our patients get refills in a timely manner. As a result, this has significantly decreased the phone call volume and complaints. Ruby’s manager can depend on Ruby to assist her with special projects and last-minute assignments. She always says, “I don’t mind.”
July 2025
Lynette Andrews, Health Unit Partner, NLC 4 East
Lynette is instrumental in ensuring things flow smoothly on the unit. She greets patients and visitors promptly, courteously, and goes out of her way to meet their needs. Lynette anticipates the needs of care providers, case managers, social workers, nurses, and CNAs to make sure they have all the equipment and supplies necessary to properly care for our patients. She helps to keep the unit clean and in order.
Theresa Maglish, RN, Cardiac Cath Lab
Theresa coordinates the day-to-day operations with our schedulers, cath lab manager, and nurses to meet the needs of our patients, medical staff, nurses, and technologist. She runs the daily huddles and provides a recap at the end of each week of conversations and main points for good documentation of issues and concerns.
June 2025
Arkeya Lee, Northlake Phlebotomy Supervisor
Arkeya has been a member of the Methodist Hospitals family for 17 years and worked as Supervisor for 5 years. Arkeya takes time with staff, new employees, and students to provide “hands-on” teaching. She also helps with Phlebotomy at our Southlake Campus, splitting her day to help train new staff and students in our Outpatient area in Pavilion A. On multiple occasions, Arkeya has worked split days at both campuses to aid in completing competency material and organizing the front office area. She has also completed some of the required monthly data at both campuses.
May 2025
Kimberly Vargas, MA, CareFirst Merrillville
Kimberly is an outstanding Medical Assistant at our CareFirst Methodist Merrillville location. She assists the Immediate and Primary Care clinics. Kimberly has consistently been commended by her colleagues and patients for her professionalism, work ethic, and compassionate care. Her ability to stay calm under pressure and strong organizational skills have made Kimberly a valuable resource. Patient’s frequently express their gratitude for Kimberly’s friendly, professional, and empathetic approach.
April 2025
Johann Causey, CSR, Heart Center
Johanna goes above and beyond to assist her colleagues, physicians, and Nurse
Practitioners. She is always willing to train new employees and put in orders for physicians. Johanna assists with any tasks that will help make our patients experience exceptional and lessen the load on her colleagues. Johanna has stayed with patients until their transportation arrived, ensured they were safe, and is always willing to go the extra mile.
Dale Cudjoe, Chaplain, Spiritual Care Department
Chaplain Cudjoe provides outstanding patient support and goes above and beyond to comfort and meet the needs of our patients and their family members. Chaplain Cudjoe has provided funeral services and Weddings at our Southlake Campus in patient rooms. He recently provided a funeral service in the patient room with family and friends, at the family request, because the patient and family didn’t want to have a service later. In this case, the body was going to be cremated, and the family did not want to have a Memorial Service. Chaplain Cudjoe has also traveled to Funeral Homes on his own time and expense to provide Funerals and Memorial Services in the community as requested. Couples have also been married in patient rooms with family and friends present, after the marriage license has been provided by the couple.
March 2025
Carlotta Betancourt, Radiology Technologist
Carlotta has been with Methodist Hospitals for more than 30 years. She started in our Radiology Department and transitioned into our Cath Lab. In addition to her Radiology Technologist duties in the Cath Lab, Carotta manages the inventory by ordering supplies and maintaining adequate par levels at our Northlake and Southlake Campuses. She goes between campuses, assists coworkers and leaders to keep the department running efficiently, and does what’s needed to get the job done. Carlotta is a great mentor for new staff, lends a listening ear, and gives helpful advice.
February 2025
Camille McBee, Practice Coordinator
Dr. Anekwe’s Broadway Office
Camille is a dedicated employee who also works as a Medical Assistant when needed. She has a caring heart and goes above her scope of duties to make sure the patients are taken care of. Camille has waited with a patient for nearly an hour for public transportation to arrive. She starts her shift early to ensure that the clinic is ready to serve patients. She often stays late to complete prior authorizations for medications and radiology tests. Camille often says, “Just tell me what to do, I will do it.” She is true to her words and gets the job done!
Mary Wirtz, Billing Coordinator
Home Health Services
Mary has been with Methodist Hospitals Home Health since 2001. She is the rock and foundation of our department. Mary is an expert on her job, and knowledgeable enough to support everyone else in their job. Mary multi-tasks like a pro and wears multiple hats. She offers a reassuring smile to everyone who enters the office, and she lends an ear to listen to anyone who needs her.
January 2025
Ivan Cook, RN & Frank Covelli, RN
Ivan and Frankwere both working at Southlake on January 8th, when a guest experienced a medical emergency in the Emergency Department parking lot. The guest drove the car into the side of the building and was trapped in the car. Frank and Ivan immediately ran outside, forced open the car door, pulled the patient from the car, and transported the guest into the ED for treatment. They were not concerned about the cold weather or their own safety; they were only concerned about the patient. Because of their actions, the guest began receiving treatment before police and fire department representatives arrived.
Sherikia Cain, Medical Assistant (MA)
Sherikia Cain is a MA at our Midlake Campus. She always finds ways to boost morale and rallies the team for tailgate lunches. Sherika pulled the team together to support Breast Cancer Awareness, worked with the Gary Literacy Program to obtain books and bags to distribute at our Midlake Campus, and another organization that donated new coats. Sherikia uses her own funds to make care packages for the homeless shelters in Gary, IN. Recently, a patient sent an email to Sherikia’s manager giving Sherikia accolades for being kind, professional, and going above and beyond to make patients feel welcome.