Darlene Sheldon, lead unit receptionist and patient care technician (UR/PCT) for Day Kimball Hospital, has been named employee of the month for June by Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH).

Sheldon, whose career in healthcare spans 26 years, began working as a UR/PCT at DKH in the Emergency Department in August 2005. In her position, she manages the flow of the department ensuring smooth functioning of the patient care unit, in addition to providing training to new staff. Sheldon also plays an important customer service role, working to improve patient satisfaction and experience in the emergency department.

At Sheldon’s Employee of the Month Celebration held at Day Kimball Hospital, her supervisor, DKH Director of Emergency Services and Med/Surg Richard Linnell said, “Darlene is a hard worker. We are lucky to have her. She is wonderful!”

In response to being named employee of the month, Sheldon said, “I feel absolutely honored. For many years now I have dedicated my professional life to the staff and patients here at Day Kimball Hospital. Day after day I am driven to do the best job that I can to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of my work so that my peers can dedicate themselves to their work resulting in great patient care and a healthy work environment for all of us.”

When asked what she likes most about her job, Sheldon said, “People. I enjoy helping anyone I can.”

Sheldon was born at Day Kimball Hospital and grew up in Pomfret, Connecticut where she still resides with her husband of 26 years, Brett Sheldon. She completed her Certified Nursing Assistant program in 1992. In 2005, Sheldon received her Emergency Medical Technician certification from Quinebaug Valley Community College and is currently an associate with the Pomfret Fire Department.

In her spare time, Sheldon enjoys spending time with her three yellow labs and her family. She has three children – Christopher, who is currently a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army on recruiting duty in Fort Worth Texas and has two combat tours as a combat medic; Tyler who is a sergeant serving as an Infantry Fire Team Leader and has two combat tours as an infantryman; and Mikayla who recently graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and currently works at DKH. Sheldon is expecting her first grandchild in December.

Day Kimball Healthcare’s employee of the month program is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. “The Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods Resort Casino has been focused on taking care of the people that serve within our community, and we appreciate everything Day Kimball Healthcare does,” said Foxwood’s Director of Sponsorships and Partnerships Roy Colebut-Ingram. “Supporting meaningful employee recognition programs like that at DKH is just one way that we feel we can express our appreciation.”

PHOTO CAPTION: (l to r): DKH Director of Emergency Services and Med/Surg Richard Linnell, DKH President and CEO Anne Diamond, DKH Employee of the Month Darlene Sheldon, DKH Chairman of Emergency Medicine Dr. Steven Wexler, DKH Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Services John O’Keefe at Sheldon’s Employee of the Month celebration, held June 25 at Day Kimball Hospital.