Recognized as a dedicated Christian who embodies her beliefs in her actions every day, Kim Parker is the recipient of the 2017 West Tennessee Healthcare President’s Award.
“The President’s Award means a lot to me,” Kim said. “It means I could not have done what I have done in the last 18 years at West Tennessee Healthcare without the support of my staff and the administration and looking at what we could do we can do to meet the needs of the community. I am very honored.”
James Ross, president/CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare made the presentation during the Board of Trustees monthly meeting at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Tuesday.
“This annual award recognizes a Department Director that gives of themselves in a selfless manner as displayed in their work at West Tennessee Healthcare, in the community, and in their church,” Ross said. “The recipient for the 2017 Award is a consummate professional, demonstrating compassion, commitment, and overall care for staff.
“The recipient is characterized as having a calm, consistent demeanor, steadfast in their efforts in the community and at work. Our recipient has garnered respect by peers, staff, and community leaders.
“The recipient is also described as cheerful, very motivated, interested in learning, a kind and caring person, exhibiting the standards of performance in working with patients, employees, co-workers and peers.”
Ross described Parker as a hard worker who is dedicated and loyal.
“She is available anytime day or night and does so with a perpetually cheerful attitude,” Ross said during the presentation. “She is known at West Tennessee Healthcare and in the community to have excellent follow through and a quick response to questions or concerns.”
Ross characterized Parker as a community leader, and “a lady of unquestioned integrity, who possesses a servant’s heart.
“She has compassion for those less fortunate,” he said. “Her experience, professionalism and big heart has made everyone in her sphere better for having known her.”
Kim Parker has 18 years of service at West Tennessee Healthcare.
“She quickly established herself at Pathways Behavioral Health Services,” Ross said. “She immediately went to work developing and implementing solutions to issues from the State of Tennessee and Martin Police Department.
“No task was too big or messy for her to tackle. She strives for excellence and continuous improvement while managing grants, the impatient unit, the crisis stabilization and triage area.”
While at Pathways, Kim continued her education to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work while on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, working every day, with two small children, a husband, while also being involved in the community and with her church family.
“She led the Domestic Violence Committee in 2015, sharing her knowledge to raise awareness of domestic violence within our system and community,” Ross said. “She presented programs about domestic violence, and made certain that materials were available for staff.
“She also serves on the Leadership Development Team where she volunteers to work on extra projects and help the team in any way.”
She is a trainer for the WTH 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training.
In the community, she serves on the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Domestic Violence, and has supported to Community Anti-Drug Coalition.
She also finds time to share her wealth of knowledge by teaching at several local colleges and universities.
On a state level, she serves as the Chair of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Statewide Policy Committee.
“She truly represents Pathways and West Tennessee Healthcare in a positive, professional manner,” Ross said. “Kim has made a major impact on the Jackson and rural West Tennessee community.”
Ross said she has forged excellent relationships with law enforcement, specifically the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Jail and Jackson Police Department.
She also has worked with Aspell Recovery Center, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), Jackson-Madison County School System, Madison County Juvenile Court and JACOA.
“Most recently, Kim played the major role in developing A Mother’s Love Program and our law enforcement mental health collaborative,” Ross said. “Overall, Kim has been instrumental for West Tennessee Healthcare, Pathways, Madison County Law Enforcement, and other agencies receiving millions of dollars to improve the lives of individuals with mental, substance abuse disabilities and training for others on how to identify and work with these individuals.”
(PHOTO: Kim Parker)
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