2022 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Finalists Celebrated

On Saturday, June 25, 2022, Concordia Lutheran Ministries announced the inaugural recipient of the organization’s highest employee honor, the Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award, at a banquet and ceremony held in celebration of the award’s 31 finalists.

The award was created by an employee-led committee to honor Concordia’s late Chairman of the Board of Directors, Stephen W. Johnson, who served at Concordia for 19 years before passing away in 2020. He was a visionary man of great faith and wisdom who guided Concordia in keeping its mission the top priority, and the award will preserve his memory and promote the recognition of employees’ Christ-like hearts.

From Concordia’s total 3,100 employees (in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida), 109 total nominees received a collective 177 nominations from community members, patients, residents and colleagues. A selection panel for the award blindly judged the nominations, ending with 31 finalists, including three honorable mentions and one recipient: Shennel Crissman, a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Concordia at Cabot Lund Care Center.

Shennel’s attention to detail and focus on her residents’ every need made an impression on those who nominated her. On top of providing excellent medical care, she has cut residents’ hair, picked up and served a resident couple their 70th anniversary dinner from their favorite restaurant, checked on her residents when they moved to a higher level of care or the hospital, stayed with residents when they were close to passing and attended the funerals of those she has cared for over the years, at last count having given her condolences in person to close to 90 families.

“Concordia has gone above and beyond for myself and family many times over my 19-year career and have proved their mission,” Shennel said. “As long as I’m willing and able, I will continue to go above and beyond to make my residents’ stay at Concordia a comfortable, enjoyable and memorable experience. I will always put my faith in caring for my residents.”

Three honorable mentions and 27 distinguished nominees, representing virtually all of Concordia’s 14 inpatient locations and eight home and community companies, were recognized for their dedication to Concordia’s mission and commitment to person-centered care:

Honorable Mentions
Armine Crowell, Occupational Therapist, Concordia Village of Tampa
Wendy Moore, Corporate Director of Skilled Nursing, Concordia Lutheran Ministries
Dottie Vogt, Unit Clerk, Concordia at Cabot

Distinguished Nominees
Jessica Alberti, RN Case Manager, Good Samaritan Hospice
Berniece Bailey, Snack Shop Manager, Concordia at Cabot
Dennis Bollman, Maintenance Supervisor, Concordia of Wexford
Melissa Brestensky, Clinical Manager, Good Samaritan Hospice
Sandra Campbell, Education Supervisor, Concordia Visiting Nurses
Margaret Cooper, RN Case Manager, Good Samaritan Hospice
Kathleen Crawford, Housekeeping Supervisor, Concordia at Cabot
Charlene Edwards, Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia at Cabot
Tammy Fernandez, Nurse Aide, Concordia at Ridgewood Place
Heather Finnegan, RN Unit Manager, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph
Christine Gebhart, Activities Director, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph
Anthony Giammarco, Spiritual Coordinator, Good Samaritan Hospice
Judith Grover, Registered Nurse, Concordia Hospice of Washington
Marysue Hitchens, Housekeeping Supervisor, Concordia at Cabot
Brittany Jones, Certified Nursing Assistant, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph
BriAnna Mellish, Personal Care Aide, Concordia Private Care
Marie Monarko, Housekeeper, Concordia at Rebecca Residence
Carla Rosenberger, Medical Technician, Concordia at Rebecca Residence
Marsha Santella, Haven III Building Coordinator, Concordia at Cabot
Trudy Scarborough, Clinical Supervisor, Good Samaritan Hospice
Megan Shilling, Physical Therapist, Concordia Visiting Nurses
Heidi Sloan, Medical Technician, Concordia at Cabot
Daphne Spohn, Quality Improvement Coordinator, Concordia at Rebecca Residence
Ashly Summersgill, Clinical Manager, Concordia Hospice of Washington
Margaret Summerville, Occupational Therapist, Concordia at Cabot
Mya Varner, Home Health Aide, Concordia Visiting Nurses
Michelle Volpe, Certified Nursing Assistant, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph

As the recipient, Shennel has the choice to go on a mission trip funded by Concordia or a $15,000 charitable donation made in her name. Charitable donations of $5,000 will be made in the name of the three honorable mentions, and charitable donations of $500 will be made in the name of the distinguished nominees.

A special thank you to the Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Committee and Selection Panel, Ceremony Host and Emcee Rachelle Arnold, Concordia Director of Chaplaincy Services Rev. Jack Hartman, Concordia President and CEO Keith Frndak, Concordia Chairman of the Board James Limbaugh and Tracey Johnson, wife of Stephen W. Johnson, for your support, time and talents in the development of the program and for ensuring a wonderful evening of recognition for our finalists.

Concordia has a vibrant employee culture of team members who truly make a difference in patients’ and residents’ lives every day. Learn more about our mission, competitive wages and outstanding benefits at www.ConcordiaCareers.org.

**2023 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award nomination period is now open!**
Visit www.SWJMissionAward.org to nominate a Concordia employee who has made a remarkable difference in your life, the life of your loved one or throughout your community!

Click on the photos to view full size in the gallery!