The Shoemaker Award is PMH's most prestigious award presented to a hospital associate. The 2012 award was given to Michele Willing who became PMH's Health Information Management (HIM) supervisor in 2004, replacing Patsy Shoemaker.

Debbie Good, nursing administration secretary, was named the MVP for 2012 at Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

The Shoemaker Award is presented each December, and is named after Patsy Roth Shoemaker, who worked 40-plus years in the hospital’s medical records department, dating to when the hospital opened in 1963.

A 24-year employee of PMH, Willing was very humbled at the thought of receiving this award. “I had the privilege to work with Patsy for 15 years and I am very grateful to be honored with this award that represents Patsy in every way.”

Michele began her career at PMH in 1988, starting as a medical transcriptionist in health information. She worked her way up to a data specialist within the department. After the unexpected and unfortunate passing of Patsy Shoemaker, she was asked about accepting the position of HIM supervisor.

“This was not an easy decision to make. I was not sure I could fulfill a position that Patsy had held since the hospital started. I was eventually convinced to accept the position and have been HIM supervisor since.”

The hospital and its associates are a very important part of Michele’s life.

“I would not have gotten through this past year, after the loss of my oldest son, if it wasn’t for my faith and the love and support I received from my family and friends including the staff at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. I appreciate everything everyone has done for me.”

MVP honoree Debbie Good says she feels there are many associates who deserve this award.

“Honestly, I feel there isn’t a day that goes by that someone doesn’t do something that deserves recognition at the hospital. I want to thank the hospital and those that honored me with this award.”

Good has worked at PMH twice, and has been employed at the hospital for nearly three decades. A native of Pulaski County her entire life, Debbie, has strong feelings about her hometown hospital.

“I feel PMH is a blessing to our area. I am thankful each day the hospital continues to provide healthcare services locally. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to go out of town for routine services, let alone what we would do when emergency or critical care services were needed. We, as a small rural community, are so lucky to still have our hometown hospital when so many small facilities have been closed or had to merge with big, out of town healthcare corporations,” she explains.

“I am very thankful for my association with PMH, not just as an employment opportunity, but because of the people I have come to know and appreciate. Every day I get to see people go above and beyond to help someone, or to take the time to make someone’s day just a bit easier or better,” she continues.

“You could not ask for a more caring and dedicated staff than the people I work with. This includes everyone, from the healthcare providers, dietary/housekeeping associates, the guys in maintenance, financial services…..it takes everyone to keep Pulaski Memorial operating. People frequently comment the people they work with become like family and at PMH it is a very true statement.”

Pulaski Memorial Hospital’s Patsy Shoemaker Award winner for 2012 Michele Willing with Richard Mynark, CEO. Says Willing, “Pulaski Memorial Hospital is a great asset to the community. The hospital has gone through many positive changes in the 24 years I have been here. I could not ask for a better staff to work with.”	Pulaski Memorial Hospital 2012 MVP Debbie Good  with Richard Mynark, CEO. “Honestly, I feel there isn’t a day that goes by that someone doesn’t do something that deserves recognition at the hospital," says Good. See story below.