Samaritan Celebrates Employees at Annual Service Awards Banquet

Published on: May 22, 2025

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Health proudly celebrated the dedication and service of its employees who reached twenty-years-in-service or more milestones in 2024 at the annual Service Awards banquet held on May 12, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn.

This annual tradition not only acknowledges the individual contributions of longtime employees but also serves as the kickoff to Samaritan Experience Week, a time dedicated to celebrating and appreciating all Samaritan staff. The week coincides with National Hospital and Nursing Home Week, which highlights the essential role hospitals, long term care facilities and healthcare workers play in communities across the nation.

“We are honored to recognize the incredible dedication of our most tenured employees,” said John Ziegler, vice president of human resources. “Their commitment to compassionate care is the heart of everything we do at Samaritan and their dedication to our patients and residents in unparallel.”

The banquet featured a formal dinner, a special recognition ceremony, and heartfelt remarks from leadership expressing gratitude for the enduring commitment of Samaritan’s workforce.

Samaritan remains deeply thankful for the exceptional individuals who make its mission possible each day.

20 Years: Kim M. Bigelow, Thomas Carman, Cathleen Marie Ganter, Jessica L. Helm, Deborah A. Kimball, Candice Michele Matthews, Frank T. Mcintyre, Gary F. Montondo Jr., Melissa Sue Pearson, Alexander R. Peer, and Katrina Marie Slate.

25 Years: Jenifer Kathleen Anderson, Jennifer Anne Castle, Tara Jean Cortright, Ellen J. Darabaner, Patricia C. Finnegan, Michelle Olivine Fleming, Katherine H. Greenwood, Tamera A. Hooker, Raeanne Lafave, Chelsea Lynn Lyndaker, Beth A. Recore, Ruth Anne Rienbeck, Gina L. Shaver, Roxanna Marie Smith, Dandi Leigh Spearance, Linda Lee Turner, Sheree A. Typhair, Regina Marie Wetterhahn, Kristi L. Whitfield.

30 Years: Timothy G. Ackley, Michael J. Adair, Faith Aileen Campanaro, Mark A. Cote, Vivian L. Doolittle, Pamela A. Gardner, Candace L. Gault, Susan M. Gokey, Heather Lu Hardy, Jon S. Lafontaine, Valerie A. Laclair, Deborah S. Marshall, Maria C. Middlestate, Susan Mary Pepe, Rebecca S. Randall, Penny L. Ritz, Dr. Maritza A. Santana-Garcia, Kimberly A. Smith, Dierdra D. Sorrell, Gregory M. Thomas, Diane M. Weaver, Dr. Joseph F. Wetterhahn, and Kary M. Wilcox.

35 Years: Kim M Anderson, Lynn A. Claflin, Alison A. Davidson, Lisa A. Fowler, Yvette Joan Garnsey, Diane Hanson, Jeffrey B. Jones, Andrea Leigh Lafontaine, Amy Jo Macgregor, Dorraine C. Mcintosh, Theresa M. Patchen, Sheri L. Peer, Ann Marie Rogers, Christina L. Smith, and Joseph H. Vincent.

40 Years: Janine M. Hawn, Lorraine B. Leroux, Shannin M. Maitland, and Kelli Jo Laclair.

# # #