HURON — Huron Regional Medical Center (HRMC) honored its March Exceptional Employee of the Month, Dawn Johnson, RN, information technology (IT) clinical analyst, earlier this month.
Johnson, who has worked at HRMC for nearly 38 years, was nominated by colleagues to receive the honor. According to the nomination, “Dawn goes above and beyond with patience and understanding when teaching and helping others.” Another co-worker commented, “Dawn’s nursing skills and caring bedside manner carried with her to IT and she treats all she comes into contact with the same way she did new moms and patients she cared for.”
Johnson earned her Associates of Science degree in Nursing from Huron University in 1985 and began work at HRMC as a surgical floor nurse. After two years, she transitioned to the obstetrics and nursery department where she provided nursing care for 34 years before accepting her new role in information technology in 2021. “I have always said that it was a privilege to care for moms and babies – the best job in the world,” said Johnson of her nursing career. “It became difficult to work twelve-hour days and I transitioned to the IT department and now help co-workers with the electronic health record,” she continued. “When one door closes, another opens. All I’ve ever wanted to do is to help people.”
HRMC’s Exceptional Employee of the Month award recognizes an employee who goes above and beyond to demonstrate the hospital’s values. Employees can be nominated by other coworkers or by a patient or visitor who witnesses exceptional service. A committee of employees from various hospital departments chooses the employee on a monthly basis and an Exceptional Employee of the Year is chosen at year-end from the 12 monthly honorees by the HRMC board of directors.
As March exceptional employee, Johnson received a meal certificate to a local restaurant, a professional photo session and portrait, $50, a lapel pin and a special parking place for a month.
Upon receiving the honor, Johnson remarked, “In all my years at HRMC, it’s never been one person or profession. It takes all skills.” She continued, “I truly love working at HRMC where I know there is a team of great people who want to give excellent care and are ready to help if needed.”
Johnson and her husband, Bill, have been married nearly 38 years and live in Huron. They have three children: Liz (Corey) of Sioux Falls, Emily (Aaron) of Huron, and Logan (Samantha) of Aberdeen. They have seven grandchildren: Jazmin (Matt), Dhamon, Anthony, Ian, Madyson, Eliana and Nora. They also have two great-grandchildren: Emilia and Tristan. In her spare time, Johnson enjoys spending time with family, spoiling grandkids, reading, sharing jokes on Facebook, and gardening.
Patients or visitors can nominate an exceptional employee by calling 605-353-6539 for a nomination form or via e-mail at hr@huronregional.org.
