Health Department honors staff


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SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2008
CONTACT: Laurie Gill, (605) 773-3361
 
Health Department honors staff
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Health has recognized several employees in the agency's second annual Secretary's Award program.
Bonnie Jameson, Roxie Tipton and Linda Zeller, all of Pierre, received Outstanding Contribution Awards for significant contributions to the agency over the course of their careers. Jameson is a 25-year member of the department, currently serving as Director of the Office of Disease Prevention. She has played a leadership role in efforts ranging from pandemic influenza preparedness to the state’s response to West Nile virus.
Tipton is a Health Facilities Surveyor for the department’s Office of Licensure and Certification. A department employee since 1995, she played a key role in developing the electronic licensing process that allows online license renewals for hospitals, a system that has now been expanded to nursing homes and assisted living centers. Tipton was also honored with the 2008 Francis T. Ishida Award for Customer Service from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Region VIII Denver office. The award recognizes exceptional achievements of those who provide services to the beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid and is one of the highest honors given by CMS.
Zeller devoted 37 years to state government service, the majority of those years as Finance Officer for the department. Her expertise and knowledge was recognized and widely sought within the department and throughout state government. She retired in January 2008.
The department also presented Excellence in the Workplace Awards for outstanding performance during the past year. Recipients included:
  • Karen Dover, Disease Intervention Specialist, Office of Disease Prevention, Sioux Falls.
    Beth Johnson, Disease Intervention Specialist, Office of Disease Prevention,     Sioux Falls    .
    Kristin Rounds, Tuberculosis Control Coordinator, Office of Disease Prevention,     Pierre    .
    The three women were reco    gnized for their persistence and professionalism in successfully managing TB cases over the past year.
  • Mary Bishop, Medical Secretary, Correctional Health Services, Women’s Prison, Pierre. She was recognized for her calm professionalism in challenging situations and for always being willing to help her colleagues.