Mt Calvary Baptist Church, 608 North Horners Lane, Rockville
As prepared
Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to celebrate with you at the Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Award Ceremony.
It is a privilege to meet a workforce so dedicated and committed to the residents of Montgomery County.
The past few years have been extremely challenging for our employees. The staff of the Department of Health and Human Services has gone above and beyond - responding to more clients and a larger workload.
You are a dedicated group as evinced by your service to your fellow employees and the community.
The quality of life here is healthier because of the work you do and the services you provide to our residents.
It is gratifying that we are recognizing so many employees who have dedicated their career to Montgomery County helping to serve – and each one of you has played a critical role.
Looking at the large number of employees being recognized for years of service is a testament to the dedication of the staff to the important work that you do.
I am honored to be here today to meet and recognize everyone who has reached a milestone anniversary from 5 to 45 years.
I also am delighted to hear about your department awards recognizing outstanding Community-, Customer- and Humanitarian-Service, Innovation, Outstanding Supervision, Team Achievement and Public-Private Partnerships.
It is remarkable that Health and Human Services has 4 employees with 40 or more years of service and 38 employees with more than 25 years of service with the County.
Patricia Chapman began her career with the Department of Health and Human Services in 1971 as a Community Services Aide and has continued in this role for 45 years.
She has been described as an outstanding employee with a keen sense of observation. She takes initiative, and has excellent working relationships.
She is extremely flexible and exhibits respect for the cultures of the families with whom she works.
Throughout her years with the Department, Patricia has excelled at utilizing and identifying resources for the families she serves.
She is a fierce advocate for her clients with agencies inside and outside HHS. She has partnered with numerous social workers, each with their own style, which requires a great deal of flexibility.
She nimbly adapted to change and established a rapport with each, exchanging ideas and concepts and adjusting her technique to dovetail with her partner.
Patricia is the “go to” person when coworkers have questions about social security benefits.
She is extraordinarily talented in researching social security requirements and case searches in many jurisdictions.
She is always willing and able to accompany families to the Social Security Administration for hearings and to assist them with appeals.
She is a valued member of Families Now, a unit within Child Welfare Services designed to prevent children from entering foster care.
She is adept at making observations and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of her clients.
She is a solid team player and maintains a strong, spiritual and personal core that allows her to communicate with individuals regardless of their background or ethnicity.
At one point in her career, in addition to working intensively with families in which child maltreatment has been an issue, Patricia was the director of a local food bank, which offered food to low-income individuals each week at a church in Rockville.
She committed more than 20 hours a week toward this wonderful volunteer endeavor. The theme of the organization was “connecting one heart, one mind to meet a common goal,” and Patricia’s service and devotion to reaching out to the less fortunate in Montgomery County, both as a County employee and as a volunteer, exemplified this theme.
Patricia did an outstanding job of melding the work with Child Welfare clients with her volunteer efforts. It is this type of bridging that makes her an excellent employee.
The Department thanks you, Patricia, for your hard work and dedication to Montgomery County and its residents. Please come up to receive your award!
Linda Goldsholl began her career with the Department of Health and Human Services in 1976 as a Nutritionist.
Linda has participated in dozens of workgroups and committees during her career and has been awarded for her involvement with: MCPS and the Five-A-Day Program; planning of Public Health Week activities; and participating on numerous Quality Service Review groups.
She sets high standards and is responsible for the diabetes program and education series and the Diabetes Dining & Activities Club. She is co-chair of the Obesity Strategy Workgroup with Healthy Montgomery and co-chair of the Eat Well, Be Active Coordinating Committee.
In 2012, Linda and her dedicated group launched a kick-off event on providing healthier choices from vending machines.
Just a few weeks ago, the effort paid off when the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved legislation to limit the number of sugary drinks and high-fat snacks that can be sold from vending machines on County property.
The legislation impacts 168 vending machines!
Linda is an independent and conscientious employee; and her supervisors know that her projects will be completed at the highest level of quality and attention to detail. She is well informed on best practices and approaches in the field of public health related to disease management.
Linda loves her profession and is dedicated to “her” programs.
The Department is honored to recognize Linda Goldsholl for 40 exceptional years of service. Linda, please come up to receive your award!
Edith Hurley began her career with the Department of Health and Human Services in 1976 as a Community Health Nurse with Family Health Services, and advanced to Nurse Manager in 1993.
She is an accomplished professional with a high level of integrity, who readily shares her knowledge, coaches others and represents the County extremely well.
Edie is a problem solver and a strong advocate for the vulnerable persons served by the programs under her supervision.
She consistently provides outstanding customer service and encourages staff to do the same.
Edie has received numerous awards for outstanding performance.
The Department would like to honor Edith Hurley for a remarkable 40 years of service. Please come up to receive your award!
Sandra Marshall started her career with the Department of Social Services as a Social Worker with Protective Services.
Sandra has been praised and recognized for her leadership and commitment during her career as evinced by handwritten notes of appreciation from clients and teachers; letters of commendation and awards for exceptional customer service.
She has also been honored for her outstanding contribution to the Department’s service integration efforts, improving security measures at the Silver Spring Crisis Center and her efforts to redesign the emergency shelter program, just to name a few.
Sandra is a highly committed supervisor and valued member of the Special Needs Housing staff.
Despite significant staffing shortages, Sandra has assured that services continue to be provided.
Her commitment to clients is exceptional. Thank you, Sandra, for your dedication and service to the Department. Please come up to receive your award!
Thank you ALL for your dedication and commitment over these many years helping the families and residents in our community.
I commend you on the dedication, sacrifice and fortitude you exhibit every day, every week, every month, and year after year after year. Congratulations again and thank you for inviting me to this worthwhile celebration.
The residents of this community are fortunate to have such devoted and caring staff working on their behalf.
It is now time to announce the Carol Johnson Community Service Award and I welcome Your Director, Uma Ahluwalia to announce the winner.
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Release ID: 17-048