UNC Health Southeastern announces top awards; honors teammates for long-term service
Food and Nutrition Services Production Chef Jeramie Crowder was named the 2022 winner of the John D. Drake Distinguished Service Award, and Marketing and Public Relations Manager Amanda Crabtree was named the 2022 winner of the W. Reid Caldwell, Jr., Distinguished Leadership Award during UNC Health Southeastern’s annual service awards banquet held Wednesday, June 28 in the medical center’s cafeteria.
Three teammates were honored for 40 years of continuous service: Utilization Review Specialist Teresa Ammons (Care Coordination), Ultrasound Supervisor Donna Freeman (Medical Imaging), and Linen Inventory Control Specialist Rose Marie Jacobs (Supply Chain Management).
Four teammates were honored for 35 years of service: Staff Radiographer Noel Bounds (Medical Imaging), Staff RN Brenda Ivey (5-Rust Tower), Manager Jeanine Lawson (Financial Services), and Ancillary Services Representative Thelma Robeson (Laboratory).
“Jeramie is committed to his department's success over the long term and has been willing to invest time and effort to contribute to its growth and development,” said UNC Health Southeastern Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer Patrick Ebri, PhD. “He believes in helping colleagues when they need it, promoting teamwork and collaboration, and being an advocate for the organization's goals and initiatives.”
Crowder is the 36th person to be named winner of the Drake Award, which was established by the Board of Trustees in 1988 to recognize exceptional service by employees. The Drake award was named in honor of the late John D. Drake, who retired as head cook in 1984 after 38 years of service.
To qualify for the Drake award, an employee must demonstrate high standards for personal performance on the job, loyalty and dedication to the organization, an excellent attendance record, respect by fellow workers, leadership skills, and a caring attitude to fellow employees and guests of the organization.
Crowder, a native of Peoria, Ill., lives in Lumberton and has worked for the health system for five years. He is married to Janilla Brown-Crowder and has two sons, Jalil Brown and William Bethea.
Crabtree has worked for the organization for 21 years. To qualify for the Caldwell award, which was established in June 2016 in honor of former Vice President and Government Affairs Officer Reid Caldwell, a UNC Health Southeastern leader must serve at the manager level or higher with five or more years of service and must exemplify the fulfillment of the mission, vision, values, and standards of behavior of the organization while serving as a mentor to other leaders, removing barriers and contributing to a learning and advancing organization.
“Amanda is always eager to accept new opportunities and challenges,” said UNC Health Southeastern President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Ellington. “She is a team player and tireless worker who likes to be in the background, but her efforts in the areas of marketing and public relations are seen throughout the organization, community, and region.”
Crabtree is a native of and resides in Bladenboro with her husband, Kevin, and two children, Elijah and Marlene.
Crowder and Crabtree were awarded a framed certificate and an engraved watch as part of their respective awards. Their names will also be added to plaques that are permanently displayed in the medical center’s main corridor.
Previous winners of the Drake award were: 1988, Julia Harris; 1989, Addie Mae Caple; 1990, Beatrice Leggett and Vashti Pittman; 1991, Thelma Jean Reeves; 1992, Paula McLean; 1993, Shirley Thompson; 1994, Sonya Oxendine; 1995, Terry Carter; 1996, Vera McDowell; 1997, Jimmy Page; 1998, James E. Jones; 1999, JoAnn Falls and Myrtle Oxendine; 2000, Patricia Davis; 2001, Sherri Hayes; 2002, Doris Madden; 2003, Mary Catherine Buie; 2004, Noel Bounds; 2005, Cynthia George; 2006, Rhonda Carter; 2007, Anne Marie Hendren; 2008, Myrtle Wilcox; 2009, Audrey Cox; 2010, Bryan Hilbourn; 2011, Merry Hardin; 2012, Gerard McRae; 2014, Jeff Edge; 2015, Lisa A. Hunt; 2016, Lori Corbett; 2017, Jeanine Lawson; 2018, Phillip Knecht; 2019, Heather McQueen; 2020, Stephanie Smith; and 2021, Sherry Edwards.
Previous winners of the Caldwell award were Elizabeth Kirschling, 2016; Cynthia George, 2017; Jonathan Everson, 2018; Steve Elgin, 2019; Suzanne Jackson, 2020; and Eric Locklear, 2021.
Food and Nutrition Services Production Chef Jeramie Crowder was named the 2022 winner of the John D. Drake Distinguished Service Award.
Marketing and Public Relations Manager Amanda Crabtree was named the 2022 winner of the W. Reid Caldwell, Jr., Distinguished Leadership Award.
Honored for 40 years of were, from left, Linen Inventory Control Specialist Rose Marie Jacobs (Supply Chain Mgmt.) and Ultrasound Supervisor Donna Freeman (Medical Imaging). Not pictured is Utilization Review Specialist Teresa Ammons (Care Coordination).
Honored for 35 years of service were, from left, Ancillary Services Representative Thelma Robeson (Laboratory), Manager Jeanine Lawson (Financial Services), and Staff RN Brenda Ivey (5-Rust Tower). Not pictured was Staff Radiographer Noel Bounds (Medical Imaging).
