FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Westminster, Md. (October 7, 2005) — Over 180 Carroll Hospital Center employees, recent retirees and their families, celebrated milestone anniversaries with the hospital at the annual Associate Recognition Dinner, held September 26 at Martin’s Westminster. The evening included cocktails, dinner, keynote speeches and a presentation noting landmark hospital events over the last 40 years. Wahnita Hawk, who works in the Pediatric Unit, is celebrating 35 years with Carroll Hospital Center. "I love what I do and I believe that you have to love your job in order to provide exceptional care to your patients," Hawk said. Outside of work, Hawk is in her second term as president of the Maryland Licensed Practical Nurses Association, Inc., her first term on the board of directors of the National Federation of LPNs and is a vice chair on the statewide (Md.) Commission on the Crisis in Nursing, Workplace Issues Committee. Celebrating 30 years with Carroll Hospital Center are payroll supervisor Sandra(Hope) Hale, operating room technician Darryl Holtzople and laboratory med technician Patricia M. Masimore. Hale was named 2005 Associate of the Year from among 12 Associates of the Month for her work in resolving a payroll processing program glitch. Hospital associates retiring this year include Nancy Reichlin (40 years), James Bangerd (37), Mary Jo Masterson (29), Peggy Whitfield (28), Nancy Groft (27), Theodore Whitfield (26), Marian Brooks (23), Mary Ann Burleson (20), Patricia Richards (20), Pauline Gist (16), Anna Ward (15), Emma Layton (14) and Lettie Shank (5). "No organization can achieve greatness without the dedication and loyalty of its associates," said Carroll Hospital Center President and CEO John Sernulka. "It is because of our associates that Carroll Hospital Center is the leader in customer care." Carroll Hospital Center, founded in 1961 as Carroll County General Hospital, is a nonprofit, acute care facility offering a continuum of services, including comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and community programs. ###