SIKESTON - Two employees were honored during the Missouri Delta Medical Center's annual Employees Awards Recognition Banquet. Diane Rodriguez was selected Employee of the Year and the title of Manager of the year went to Felicia Baker.
Rodriguez started working at Missouri Delta Medical Center on May 22, 1976 as a nurse aide on pediatrics. From there, she became a ward clerk and has now progressed into the position of clerical coordinator of professional services.
When asked how she feels about being elected Employee of the Year she commented: "It's a little overwhelming to know that people think that highly of you. I just do my job the best I can."
Rodriguez and her husband, Antonio, reside in Sikeston. She has one son Roger and four grandchildren.
When she's not working at MDMC, she said "you can find me at the bowling ally just about every Wednesday!"
Baker described her feelings when she was chosen as Manager of the Year as "shocked and humbled."
Beginning her career with Missouri Delta Medical Center in 1985 as a switchboard operator, Baker later began working as a ward clerk on the night shift and eventually the day shift.
While working as a ward clerk, she attended school to become a licensed practical nurse. After graduation, she began working on 2F as an LPN while she went to school to become an registered nurse.
After working as an RN on telemetry, Baker left Missouri Delta Medical Center for a while to obtain experience in the home health field. Then, she returned to MDMC in 1998 as supervisor of Continu-Care Home Care Services of Missouri Delta Medical Center. She became the director in 2000.
"I believe what makes a manager good or bad is the people they work with," said Baker upon receiving the award. "I am lucky to have an excellent group of caring staff at Continu-Care. I have also received excellent support and guidance from the Administrative team. It takes both types of support to get a job done."