The Healthy Connections Employee of the Month program recognizes team members who demonstrate Community, Compassion, and Excellence in their daily work. For May, Healthy Connections is proud to honor Patricia Smith of the Hot Springs Chippewa clinic and Charlotte Craig of the Mena clinic as our Employees of the Month.
Each month, Healthy Connections selects one employee from East Communities and one employee from West Communities through a nomination and voting process designed to recognize employees who make a meaningful impact on patients, coworkers, and clinic operations. Employees are nominated by their coworkers, and final selections are made through a vote by members of the Senior Management Team. Throughout the process, Healthy Connections’ three pillars—Community, Compassion, and Excellence—weigh heavily in determining the final recipients.
The May winners were recognized for their teamwork, dependability, positive attitudes, and commitment to supporting both patients and coworkers. Their nominations reflected the everyday actions that help create a welcoming, compassionate, and effective healthcare environment across Healthy Connections.
East Communities Employee of the Month: Patricia Smith – Medical Assistant, Hot Springs Chippewa Clinic
Patricia Smith, a Medical Assistant at the Hot Springs Chippewa clinic, joined Healthy Connections in 2024 and has quickly become a trusted and dependable member of the care team.
Coworkers consistently praised Patricia’s willingness to step in wherever she is needed. One nomination described her as someone who “truly represents the Healthy Connections pillars of Community, Compassion, and Excellence every day.” Her coworkers noted that she is “always willing to help at other clinics when staffing is needed” and does so with “a positive attitude and strong work ethic.”
Patricia’s nomination also highlighted her versatility and dependability. Coworkers shared that she “works well independently, is a great team player, and is always ready to help others.” They further noted that her “ability to multitask and remain dependable in busy situations makes her a valued member of the team.”
Those qualities reflect exactly what the Employee of the Month program is designed to recognize. Whether supporting patients at her home clinic or helping wherever staffing needs arise, Patricia consistently demonstrates a commitment to teamwork and service. Her positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to go above and beyond have made her a valuable member of the Hot Springs Chippewa team and a deserving recipient of this recognition.
West Communities Employee of the Month: Charlotte Craig – Billing Specialist, Mena Clinic
Charlotte Craig, a Billing Specialist at the Mena clinic, has been part of the Healthy Connections team since 2017. During her years with the organization, she has earned a reputation for kindness, patience, and an unwavering willingness to support those around her.
Charlotte’s coworkers describe her as “one of the sweetest, kindest, and most patient people on the team.” Her positive attitude and approachable nature have made her a trusted resource for coworkers throughout the clinic.
One nomination noted that Charlotte is “always willing to help with questions and concerns” and “never makes coworkers feel like they are bothering her or wasting her time.” Whether assisting a teammate, answering questions, or helping resolve an issue, she approaches every interaction with patience and understanding.
The nomination concluded by noting that “her willingness to support others is deeply appreciated,” a simple but meaningful reflection of the impact she has had on her team since joining Healthy Connections. Through her compassion, professionalism, and commitment to helping others succeed, Charlotte exemplifies the culture that Healthy Connections strives to build across all of its clinics.
Why the Healthy Connections Employee of the Month Program Matters
The Healthy Connections Employee of the Month program exists to recognize employees who consistently go above expectations and positively impact the patients and communities we serve. By combining coworker nominations with leadership voting, the program highlights employees whose actions reflect the mission and values of Healthy Connections every day.
Patricia Smith and Charlotte Craig exemplify what it means to live out Community, Compassion, and Excellence through their dedication to patients, support of coworkers, and commitment to serving others. Their contributions strengthen their clinics, support their teammates, and help ensure Healthy Connections continues to provide exceptional care across the communities we serve.
Please join us in congratulating Patricia Smith and Charlotte Craig on being named Healthy Connections Employees of the Month for May and in thanking them for the positive difference they continue to make across our organization.
Interested in joining a team that values Community, Compassion, and Excellence? Learn more about career opportunities at https://healthy-connections.org/careers/.
