2023 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Finalists Celebrated

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Concordia Lutheran Ministries announced the 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 36 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 3,200 employees (in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida), 122 total nominees received a collective 217 nominations from community members, patients, residents and colleagues. A selection panel for the award blindly judged the nominations, ending with 36 finalists, including four honorable mentions and one recipient: Dianna “Dian” Callen, the Receptionist Manager for Concordia at Rebecca Residence.

Callen has worked at Concordia for nearly 18 years and is known for going the extra mile to help her residents, their families and her fellow team members. She ensures coverage at the front desk and helps keep the entire facility running smoothly. Those who nominated Callen for this award noted her compassion, love, care, generosity, kindness and empathy, and how she carries out her role with great joy every day.

“Dian has always been one of those employees that has a smile on her face; she’s very caring about the residents and families,” said Concordia at Rebecca Residence Accounting Manager Adam Toncini. “You’ll see her interacting with them as soon as they walk through the door. It’s a good thing that we have someone like that at the front desk, because when people walk in the front door, she’s the first person they see. I think it’s wonderful that Dian is receiving this award. The fact that it is Concordia’s highest employee honor is just a testament to what kind of person Dian is.”

Honorable Mentions

Nancy Masseria, Activities Aide, Concordia at Sumner

Jennifer McGee, Haven I Housekeeper, Concordia at Cabot

Ryan Morgan, Occupational Therapist, Concordia Visiting Nurses

Marsha Santella, Haven III Building Coordinator, Concordia at Cabot

Distinguished Nominees

Jessica Alberti, Registered Nurse, Good Samaritan Hospice

Beth Bollman, Office Manager, Concordia Physician Practice

Denise Daubner, Housekeeper, Concordia at Cabot

Sarah Davis, Housekeeping Supervisor, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph

David DeLuca, Food Service Aide, Concordia at Cabot

Saraita Ford, Medical Technician, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph

Rachel Frye, Certified Nursing Assistant, Concordia of Franklin Park

Erica Grubesky, Personal Care Administrator, Concordia of Monroeville

Mark Hack, Maintenance, Concordia at Cabot

Rhelyn Herbert, Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia at Cabot

Racey Keister, Registered Nurse, Concordia Visiting Nurses

Morgan Kidder, Speech Therapist, Concordia at Cabot

Morgan King, Home Health Aide, Concordia Visiting Nurses

Sharon Kuth, Hospice Aide, Good Samaritan Hospice

Cynthia Leheny, Certified Nursing Assistant, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph

Lynn McKinnis, Physical Therapist, Concordia Visiting Nurses

Susan McLafferty, Transitional Nurse Liaison, Good Samaritan Hospice

Felicity Medina, Nurse Aide, Concordia of Wexford

Renee Napoleon, Unit Clerk, Concordia at Cabot

Irene Payne, Registered Nurse, Concordia at Rebecca Residence

Olivia Robinson, Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia of Cranberry

Ben Skillen, Personal Care Administrator, Concordia of Wexford

Kristen Snow, Nurse Aide, Concordia at Cabot

Janice Stavros, Activities Director, Concordia of Monroeville

Ramona Tillia, Cook, Concordia of Cranberry

Lisa Vandevort-Crist, Receptionist, Good Samaritan Hospice

PJ Vogt, Business Manager, VNA Alliance

Gayle Wessel-Clear, Certified Nursing Assistant, Concordia of Franklin Park

Rowena Wilkins, Marketing Director, Concordia at Sumner

Brittany Wooley, Licensed Practical Nurse, Good Samaritan Hospice

Julie Zaccaria, Physical Therapist Assistant, Concordia at Rebecca Residence

As the recipient, Dian 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 four 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, Co-Presenter Misty Ingram, Special Presenter and 2022 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award recipient Shennell Crissman, 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 continued 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 on our Careers page.

Watch the livestream of the 2023 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Ceremony here, and be sure to check out photos from the ceremony below the video!

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