2026 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Finalists Celebrated

On Friday, June 19, 2026, 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 34 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 serves to preserve his memory and promote the recognition of employees’ Christ-like hearts.

Finalists were nominated by community members, patients, residents and colleagues. This year’s class of finalists represented both Concordia’s inpatient locations and home and community-based service lines, with roles ranging from housekeepers, maintenance technicians and activity professionals to nurses, therapists, social workers, administrators and many others. Together, they represent more than 500 years of combined service to Concordia and a shared commitment to serving others with compassion, excellence and Christ-like love.

Following a blind review process, the Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Selection Panel recognized 21 distinguished finalists, including 10 honorable mentions, two spotlight honorees and one winner.

2026 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Recipient: Mya Varner, Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia Visiting Nurses.  

Since joining Concordia Visiting Nurses in 2018, Mya Varner has consistently demonstrated what it means to care for the whole person – bringing clinical skill, compassion and steady encouragement into the homes of those she serves. A 2022 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Distinguished Finalist, Mya was nominated again for the extraordinary way she helps patients feel safe, heard and valued, whether she is providing wound care, picking up visits when another nurse is unavailable or offering reassurance during difficult moments. Her commitment to service extends beyond her daily work through volunteer efforts in her daughter’s school community, serving as the on-site nurse for Butler County’s Troop D Camp Cadet and supporting families in need during the holidays. Mya’s story is one of resilience, faith and purpose. Through her care for patients, devotion to her family and service to her community, she continues to bring Concordia’s mission to life each day.

“Mya’s compassionate nature brings comfort to those in difficult situations, while her trustworthy character inspires confidence and respect,” said Megan Weaver, Concordia Visiting Nurses Branch Manager. “She goes above and beyond to ensure every patient feels valued, heard and supported. Through her kindness, empathy and commitment to excellence, she makes a meaningful difference every single day.”

As the recipient, Mya has the choice to participate in a Concordia-funded mission trip accompanied by a $5,000 charitable donation made in her name, or to direct a $15,000 charitable donation in her honor to a nonprofit organization dedicated to person-centered, life-enhancing services. Charitable donations of $5,000 will also be made in the name of the two spotlight honorees, $2,000 donations will be made in the name of the 10 honorable mentions and donations of $1,000 will be made in the name of the distinguished finalists.

Spotlight Honorees
Lindsay Materkoski, Activity Director, Concordia at Weatherwood
Dottie Vogt, Unit Clerk, Concordia at Cabot

Honorable Mentions
Jessica Alberti, Registered Nurse, Good Samaritan Hospice
Tatum Christy, Executive Assistant, Concordia at Sumner
Joyce Cunningham, LPN Unit Manager, Concordia at Cabot
Lenore Guarnieri, Registered Nurse, Good Samaritan Hospice
Mark Hack, Maintenance, Concordia at Cabot
Jennifer McGee, Housekeeper, Concordia at Cabot
Carrie Mitchell, Payroll Specialist, Concordia Community Support Services
Debra Moore, Transitional Coordinator, Concordia Visiting Nurses
Savanna Proden, Nursing Assistant, Concordia at Ridgewood Place
Cassie Rinehart, Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia-IRMC VNA

Distinguished Finalists
Taneka Brown, Receptionist, Harmony Physical Rehabilitation
Amber Bowser-Shaw, Occupational Therapist, Concordia at Cabot
Chelana Crawfod, Nurse Practitioner, Good Samaritan Hospice
Tilynn Dawson, Medication Technician, Concordia of Cranberry
McKenna DeWitt, Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia at Cabot
Jennifer Gottron, Director of Nursing, Concordia of Monroeville
Noelle Hahn, Director of Nursing, Concordia at Rebecca Residence
Jessica Hart, Certified Nursing Assistant, Harmony Physical Rehabilitation
Melanie Hartman Hess, Adult Day Director, Concordia at Cabot
Francine Hlavacek, Food Service General Manager, Concordia at Sumner
Christi Hoffman, Registered Nurse, Good Samaritan Hospice
Garrett Kerr, Nurse Aide, Concordia at Cabot
Tina Kriess, IL Resident Coordinator, Concordia at Cabot
Lynna Lawton, Registered Nurses, Concordia at Villa St. Joseph
Mierra Miller, Home Health Aide, Concordia Hospice of Washington
Riquel Murkins, Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia at Sumner
Libby Quinn, Payroll Manager, Concordia Community Support Services
Marina Rager, Administrator, Concordia at Weatherwood
Kayla Stull, Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia Visiting Nurses
Audrey Tristani, Social Worker, Concordia at Cabot
Rowena Wilkins, Director of Marketing, Concordia at Sumner

A special thank you to the Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Committee and Selection Panel; Ceremony Host and Emcee Natalie McKay, Concordia Administrator; Co-Presenter Matthew Hooks, Concordia Community Support Services Director of Human Resources; Special Presenters Laura McGraw, Concordia Visiting Nurses Executive Director; Megan Weaver, Concordia Visiting Nurses Branch Manager; Martin Trettel, Concordia Visiting Nurses President and CEO; and Brian Hortert, Concordia Chief Operating Officer; Concordia Chaplain Rev. Jack Hartman; Concordia President and CEO Keith Frndak; Concordia Chairman of the Board Rev. Dr. Daniel Hahn Jr.; and Tracey Johnson, wife of Stephen W. Johnson. Thank you for your support, time and talents in the continued development of the program and for helping create a meaningful evening of recognition for our finalists.

Related: 2022 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Finalists Celebrated, 2023 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Finalists Celebrated, 2024 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Finalists Celebrated and 2025 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Finalists Celebrated Every day across Concordia, employees bring our mission to life through compassionate care, selfless service and meaningful connections with those we serve. To learn more about joining a team where your work truly makes a difference, visit our Careers page.

Watch the recorded livestream of the 2026 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Ceremony and be sure to check out photos from the event below!

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Founded in 1881, Concordia Lutheran Ministries is a faith-based, CARF-accredited Aging Services Network and recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Aging Excellence in Quality Care Award. As one of the largest nonprofit senior care providers in the country, the organization serves 50,000 people annually through in-home care and inpatient locations. Concordia offers a lifetime continuum of care that includes adult day services, home health care, hospice, physician and rehabilitation services, memory care, personal care, assisted living, respite care, retirement living, skilled nursing/short-term rehab, spiritual care and medical equipment.