Health care workers honored for selfless service
This article appeared in the June 2021 edition of the Chickasaw Times
Medals4Mettle awards for COVID response
ADA, Okla. - More than five dozen Chickasaw Nation Department of Health staff members were recently recognized for their mettle – the ability to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way – during the last year.
Governor Bill Anoatubby led the May 14 ceremony in the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center courtyard. Health care workers were honored for their commitment, perseverance and essential role in the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You’ve been fearless in the face of this disease,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “You’ve been dependable and caring. You’ve had unwavering resolve. Because of you, the Chickasaw Nation remains unconquered. We are here to celebrate you today because you are an inspiration to others.
“You are doing an amazing job during this pandemic, and we honor you for serving Chickasaws and other First Americans with diligence, duty and expertise in the most of difficult of times,” he said.
Medals4Mettle has been awarding donated marathon, half-marathon and triathlon finishers’ medals for the past 15 years. The medals go to children and adults who face life-threatening disease with mettle and resolve, Karl Ahlgren, Medals4Mettle (M4M) Tulsa chapter coordinator said.
In the midst of the pandemic, Medals4Mettle is also awarding the medals to those who have selflessly risked their own lives to support and care for those affected by COVID19.
“It’s ‘Medals for Mettle’,” Mr. Ahlgren said. “Another word for ‘mettle’ is courage and you have shown so much courage during this pandemic. What we’re saying today is ‘we’re cheering you on. We’re praying for you. You are so appreciated and you are so much valued.’”
Dr. Kathleen Elliot, with Medals4Mettle, also participated in the ceremony.
“Because of you, because of the choices you made to go into this health care profession, you have now become not only a provider of health services, but people who are saving lives and who are making a difference every single day,” Dr. Elliot said.
The Chickasaw Nation partnered with Medals4Mettle, a national charitable organization, to present the “Extra Mile” Award for Extraordinary Pandemic Service to 64 individual health care workers. The award recipients were nominated by their peers and leaders.
Chickasaw Nation Department of Health Deputy Secretary Kevin Meeks announced the medal recipients. Those honored include:
Virginia (Ginny) Austin
Saundra Holder
Shannon Young
Jim Thomas
Toni Ebanks
Gloria Gutierrez
Katrina Lewis
Heather Summers
Seth Morgan
Joy Strandridge
Rikki Navarro
Leah Delozier
Lauren LittleAxe
Tayler House
Marcy Davis
Jamie Humphreys
Mallory Henderson
Kelly Dalton
Teresia Terry
Justic Easley
Ashley Haines
Kevin Chapman
Ashley Mayo
Sassy Stoksberry
Rebecca Hankins
Zachary Wilmoth
Tammy Preast
Charles “Lance” Bowen
Brandie Montanelli
Jerry Muzar
David Manuel
Randy Steers
Susan Stark
Ross Clark
Amber Cranford
John Hudspeth
Hillary Treat
John Schoofield
Garet Ballagh
Samantha Mims
Tayler Berry
Chris Read
Roy Gower
Tera Simpson
Brett Gowdy
Bobby Freeman
Tracy Williamson
Louise Gaddis
Wade Snodgrass
Landon Trimble
Jaden Mitchell
Jennifer Grant
Jamie Rudd
Jennifer James
Sue Gastineau
Judy Pickle
LeeAnn Swindle
Jillian Peters
Devin Lackey
Rhoni Elliott
Laura Long
Kristie Guttery
Christi Whitmire
Angela Smith
The award ceremony capped off National Hospital Week.
About Medals 4 Mettle
Founded in 2005, Medals4Mettle (M4M) is a national 501c3 organization. Its mission is to “unite endurance athletes with all compassionate human beings to create a new internal network of compassion: kindness without borders.”
Finishers’ medals from marathons, triathlons, half marathons and triathlons are donated by endurance athletes and restrung with M4M lanyards to recognize individuals who are running a unique and difficult race, often with an unknown finish line.
Medals4Mettle had awarded more than 60,000 medals to recipients across the world. In 2020, M4M expanded its mission during the pandemic and has awarded thousands of medals to front line workers.