Central Carolina Hospital honored 49 employees for their longstanding service to the hospital at its annual service awards luncheon on May 14 at Carolina Trace Country Club – including eight employees who have served 30 years or more.
Topping the list of honorees is Jimmy Whitaker, director of information technologies and services, who was honored for an incredible 45 years of service to CCH. Denise Spivey-Johnson, of the birth center, was honored for 40 years.
Four employees were honored for 35 years of service: Angel Gunter, of admitting; Paula McGehee, of the birth center; Tammy Overton, of the birth center; and Sherry Jarvis, of patient billing. Those honored for 30 years were Paula Cassady, of Central Carolina general surgery and Tammy Hayes, OR coordinator in materials management.
Also recognized was Vanessa King, the 2025 Mercy Award recipient for CCH, and two other Mercy Award nominees: Angel Johnson and Scarlet Santos. In attendance was Crystal Veal, assistant vice president of the Duke Quality Network.
As a Duke LifePoint hospital, Central Carolina Hospital has the experience and commitment to strengthen care at home, said the hospital. CCH employs more than 550 employees and nearly 200 providers. Combined, the 49 employees who were honored at the luncheon have contributed a total of 815 years of service to the hospital.
“I can genuinely say that Central Carolina’s strongest asset is our people,” said Dave Santoemma, CEO of CCH, in a press release. “Healthcare is a very people-intensive business. At the end of the day, we are people caring for people. And it takes a tremendous drive and commitment to devote your life to caring for others in need. It takes great humanity and heart.
“I want to personally thank our entire staff for all they do to contribute to CCH and help us fulfill our mission of making our communities healthier,” he said. “They have made a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of those they have served.”
Feature photo: Left to right are David Munton, chief financial officer; Jimmy Whitaker, 45-year service award recipient; Connette Gill, chief nursing officer; and Dave Santoemma, chief executive officer of Central Carolina Hospital.
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Contributed article and photos.
