Planetree Honors North Valley Hospital Employee with 2009 Spirit of Planetree Award
Carol Blake was named a recipient of the 2009 Spirit of Planetree Award, recognizing her personal embodiment of North Valley Hospital’s patient-centered approach to providing care. In conjunction with the 2009 Planetree Annual Conference held October 4-7, 2009, in Baltimore, Maryland; the award was presented by Planetree President Susan B. Frampton at a special ceremony attended by Planetree members from across the globe.
Founded in 1978 by a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic healthcare experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-centered approaches to care. Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare system for 30 years. With its model of patient-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.
As a Planetree affiliate, North Valley Hospital is committing to the Planetree philosophy and implementing the Planetree model of patient-centered care. Guided by the model's 10 core components, each member collaborates with Planetree staff to develop a plan to implement initiatives and practices designed to enhance the patient experience while also supporting the professional and personal aspirations of their staff.
“Every day, in both her interactions with patients and fellow employees, Carol exemplifies Planetree and patient-centered care,” said Jason Spring, North Valley Hospital CEO. “It is only fitting that she be recognized with this prestigious national award. In recognizing Carol, Planetree and North Valley Hospital are also paying tribute to the dedication and compassion demonstrated by all our caregivers, day in and day out.”
Carol has been a Registered Nurse since 1969 and has worked as a supervisor, director of nursing, clinic nurse or occupational health nurse until 1992 when she accepted an administrative position at North Valley Hospital to develop and implement a community relations program. Seven years later she was asked to begin The North Valley Hospital Foundation. Coupling her community involvement with the mission of the hospital, she was able to influence big changes at North Valley Hospital. She loves to quote Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce Director Carol Pike who once said, “North Valley Hospital was the best kept secret until you [Carol] became active in the community.”
In 2003, Carol received the Soroptomist International of Whitefish Montana Women of Distinction award for making a difference for women in the community. The next year, she received the Gerry Gunnin Professional Achievement award from the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, Rockies and Southwest US Region. Last year, she was selected as the distinguished alumni of her high school because of her achievements, honors and services.
“The Spirit of Planetree Award Ceremony is always a highlight of our Annual Conference,” said Frampton. “At the heart of the Planetree model are the human interactions between patients and caregivers. With the Spirit of Planetree Award, we celebrate individuals like Carol who, in their compassion, empathy, and simple human kindness, are improving the patient experience, and that is most definitely worthy of recognition.”
Carol was one of more than 100 recipients of the 2009 Spirit of Planetree Award. Also recognized were 12 programs implemented at Planetree institutions across the world that represent extraordinary achievement in each of Planetree’s components of patient-centered care.
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