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This year, two are too good. For the first time ever, Saint Joseph Health Center has named two people Employee of the Year.
 Judy Schwakopf and Debbie Maranto are sharing the honor this year-and that's just fine with both. In a strange coincidence-Judy sees employees in their first days with the hospital and Debbie sees many in their last days.
Judy does orientation for new employees and Debbie works with retirement, disability and death benefits. The two share many characteristics-at the top of that list is compassion and a passion for their jobs.
"Doing orientation, I get to meet everyone employee in the organization," explains Judy. "I see their gifts right away. I see their personalities, their talents, their humor. I don't have to wait-and I love that."
Judy says many employees stand out during orientation-and yes, she remembers clearly Debbie as a new employee three years ago.
"We talk about the mission, vision and values of the organization-how our mission is the center of the work we do here. And I remember talking with Debbie and knowing right away she got it. She had those values when she came to us."
Debbie says she knew Saint Joseph Health Center was different from the other places she had worked the first day she walked in. "When I walked through the halls, people smiled and greeted me," says Debbie. I felt something special about the place-how it's a community. People are really trying to live the values and it shows-you can feel it. I had worked in 'Corporate America' and appreciate all that I learned, but I'm very happy here. It reminds me of the old saying about kissing a lot of frogs before you find your prince. I'm very happy here."
"When I started here (some 16 years ago) I'd see the pictures on the wall of the Employees of the Month," says Judy. "And I thought 'I just want to be like those people,' So to actually be named the Employee of the Year is the frosting on the cake, and to be in Debbie's company just makes it even better. And after 16 years, I continue to be impressed with the people who work here and the way we get things done."
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