Now in its 30th year, Pennsylvania Hospital’s annual Emil and Lynn Hubschman Award recognizes an exemplary staff member who embodies PAH’s hallmark characteristics by modeling empathy and enthusiasm, maintaining a collaborative spirit, and demonstrating outstanding performance of their responsibilities.
“The award honors an exceptional individual who represents the all-around ‘best of the best,’ and what makes it extraordinary is that nominees are selected by their peers,” said Christine Tierney, RN, MSN, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHCR, chief Human Resources officer. “This is one of our most honored traditions, and this year was particularly special as we celebrated a three-decade milestone.”
During the ceremony, Lynn Hubschman spoke about the attributes that set health care providers apart, namely compassion. Lynn served as PAH’s director of Social Work Services until 1986, and her career was marked by a promotion of the highest standards of professionalism and an exceptional attitude of caring. Thanks to Lynn and Emil’s generosity, the Hubschman Award ensures these critical tenets live on.
This year, 55 incredible employees were nominated for this honor by their colleagues, and Dan Feinberg, MD, chief medical officer, noted that the sheer spread of excellence across so many units and departments “always blows [him] away.” After thanking the nominees for their hard work and dedication, Feinberg announced the winner of the 2018 Hubschman Award: congratulations to Frederick A. Nunes, MD, a clinical professor of Gastroenterology!
Just a few weeks later, PAH’s celebration of excellence was still going strong, this time during the 55th Annual Employee Service Awards. Held at Vie on Broad Street, the event honored more than 425 incredible staff members who have hit career milestones ranging from 5 years to a whopping 45 years, as well as celebrating PAH’s lengthy list of accomplishments.
In the past year alone, PAH has opened an urgent care facility in South Philadelphia at Constitution Health, opened Duncan Family Medicine, completed the Liberty Lounge, and started construction on a comprehensive new spine center. For some perspective, the employees being honored for their years of service may remember that five years ago, Penn Medicine Washington Square was still under construction; 15 years ago, PAH visitors would find no Penn Neurological Institute, PETU Unit, or Gamma Knife or Cyberknife Centers; 20 years ago, PAH’s Cancer Center didn’t even exist; and 45 years ago, the restoration of the historic Pine Building was still years away from completion!
Through all of PAH’s developments and breakthroughs, CEO Theresa Larivee noted that, “the one constant that has always made it such a special place is people like you. As health care providers, we have the privilege to help people during some of the hardest and most vulnerable times of their lives, and without the dedication, passion, and commitment of each person in this room, Pennsylvania Hospital could not continue to thrive.”
Congratulations to everyone who was honored, and a special shout-out to those celebrating 40 years and 45 years of service: Lylin Best, Amalia Lopez, George Allen, and Anne Hutchins!
Thank you to everyone recognized by this year’s Hubschman Award and Employee Service Awards for all you do to ensure that PAH continues to put patients first at the nation’s first.