OhioHealth Takes 802 Long-Term Associates On Shopping Trip To Easton

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 25^th year in a row, OhioHealth honored its long-term associates with a special day of shopping, recognition and celebration late this summer. It is one of the healthcare industry's most unusual employee recognition programs.

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"The Shopping Trip is not just a day of fun, food and shopping. It is a day of emotion, joy and celebration," said Johnni Beckel, senior vice president and Chief Human Resources Officer. "When you see the honorees walking down the red carpet as hundreds of directors, vice presidents and presidents applaud their years of dedicated service to OhioHealth, it is really moving. They love it."

"It's my favorite day of the year," says Susan Lapp, human resources consultant and business partner for OhioHealth Neighborhood Care, who helped plan the original Shopping Trip in 1989. "Everybody's in a good mood. Everybody's happy."

This year, 802 associates celebrating 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years of service were recognized in a special event including a monetary gift ranging from $300 to $675 ($15 for each year of service,) shopping at a local shopping center, a rocking, red-carpet reception line, and topped off with lunch and a special program in their honor.

Each associate is given the day off and invited to attend the shopping trip along with a guest.

"I've never had anything that extreme given to me," said Diane Cowan, RN, who took her daughter and grandchildren. "It makes you feel so special. I was really surprised and thankful and my grandkids loved it!"

"I'm not sure what I'll spend the money on yet, maybe a vacation. I've never been to Vegas!"

"We used to purchase gifts for our associates," said Tracey Clayton, system manager of Associate Engagement and Inclusion. "But one day we decided to recognize everyone on one very special day so we could all celebrate together."

"Our associates make us who we are," said Clayton. "Their commitment and dedication to OhioHealth deserves to be celebrated in a grand way."

Honorees and years of service:

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7073051-ohiohealth-shopping-trip-to-easton-for-long-term-associates/

SOURCE OhioHealth