Arlene Johnson, the self-effacing quality management director at Whidbey General Hospital, never expected to receive the Amy Ayers Award for Excellence in Patients First. But she was visibly moved when they called her name.

“I must admit that when they called my name and I saw the excitement displayed in the room, I was overwhelmed,” Johnson said. “It was the first time I have had people on their feet clapping for me.”

The hospital district board of commissioners voted in 2003 to recognize the award’s namesake at the time of her retirement with an annual employee award in her honor.

Ayers served as key leader at the hospital from 1978, when she arrived as the new director of nursing, until 2002 when she retired as the hospital’s chief operating officer.

“I was hired by Amy Ayers in 1983 and benefited from her mentoring until she retired, so to receive the award in her name and directly from Amy herself was very meaningful to me,” Johnson said.

Quality patient care and education were a priority for Ayers in every aspect of her work, which included the support and encouragement of staff throughout the organization. Her dedication to patient care, her commitment to the community she served, and her daily mentorship of staff exemplified her philosophy.

The award is open to every hospital employee as part of the health care team that is charged with ensuring patients have the best experience possible at the Whidbey Island facility. Patients First was adopted in 1999 with the goals of humanizing, personalizing and demystifying the patient’s experience.

Previous award winners include Juan Gumataotao, mangement information systems, in 2004; Patsy Kolesar-Hynson, med/surg nurse manager, 2005; and Heike DeGraaf, environmental services, in 2006.

“I remember feeling that kind of excitement for those who have received it in prior years, which I think speaks loudly to the value the award brings to our culture at Whidbey General because it is a reminder of what we are all about,” Johnson said.

The revered quality management director has felt honored to work cohesively with a corps of highly capable peers.

“I have always felt privileged to work at Whidbey General and be a part of a team of colleagues that I know to be competent, caring and compassionate,” Johnson said. “Knowing their nomination was a vote of confidence in my contribution is inspiring.”

She recalled Kolesar-Hynson’s words after she was given the award. The reaction and thoughts expressed were indelible for Johnson.

“I remember her sharing how humbling and special it was,” she said. “She is right.”