Local Resident Receives Monongahela Valley Hospital’s 2013 Protin Award

Monongahela Valley Hospital honored it employees, medical staff and board during the organization’s 41st Annual Service Awards Dinner on May 6 at the Willow Room in the Mon-Vale HealthPLEX in Rostraver.

Dale Varega, of Monongahela, received the 2013 Edward J. Protin Memorial Award, one of the hospital’s most prestigious honors.

Those eligible for the Protin Award have served the hospital for at least a decade, exhibited significant contributions to the health care system over and above what is required, and demonstrated the qualities of leadership, loyalty, compassion and empathy.

Monongahela Valley Hospital’s 2013 Protin Award Winner Dale Varega, of Monongahela, accepts his award at the hospital’s 41st Annual Service Awards Dinner on May 6 at the Willow Room in Rostraver, from last year’s winner, Mary Lou Murt, senior vice president of Nursing.
Monongahela Valley Hospital’s 2013 Protin Award Winner Dale Varega, of Monongahela, accepts his award at the hospital’s 41st Annual Service Awards Dinner on May 6 at the Willow Room in Rostraver, from last year’s winner, Mary Lou Murt, senior vice president of Nursing.

In the presence of more than 300 of their hospital peers, last year’s Protin Award recipient, Senior Vice President of Nursing Mary Lou Murt, presented Mr. Varega, a radiology technologist, with his award.

“This year’s Protin Award recipient is very committed to helping others at MVH and throughout the community,” said Mrs. Murt. “Our awardee is very confident in his priorities — family, church and work — he responds selflessly to the needs of others, be they children, adults or the elderly.”

Mr. Varega serves as a soccer coach; youth group counselor and food bank volunteer at his church, the Library Baptist Church Crossroads Ministries; he mentors students from local high schools and trade schools about health care careers and he donates regularly at American Red Cross blood drives.

He is a graduate of Monessen High School and attended Penn State New Kensington. He received an Associate degree and his American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certifications. He did his clinical at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh and worked at St. Margaret’s in Aspinwall before coming to MVH, where he has worked for 28 years.

The Protin Memorial Award was established in 1981 to perpetuate the memory of the late Edward J. Protin of Charleroi, former president of the hospital’s Board of Trustees and a longtime community leader in the mid-Mon Valley.

Another highlight of the evening was presenting the Diamond Award to employees, medical staff and board with 25 years of service.

Honorees included Thomas F. Brockmeyer, M.D., Ph.D., of Columbus, Ohio; Brenda Buchko of Monessen; Daniel M. Bursick, M.D., of Pittsburgh; Kimberly A. Fagioletti, RN, of Belle Vernon; Robert H. Ferguson, M.D., of Pittsburgh; Eric Fleming, of Bentleyville; Kamlesh B. Gosai, M.D., of Charleroi; Yvonne Janus, RN, of Belle Vernon; Barbara J. Johnson, LPN, of Brownsville; Rebecca R. Kahl, LPN, of Monongahela; Mary J. Lemenovich, LPN, of Vestaburg; Darryll Lenhart, of Charleroi; Mary B. Lucas, RN, of New Eagle; Janet L. Mancini of Monongahela; Carol J. May, NA, of Monongahela; Ellen Medlen, LPN, of Stockdale; Ron Medved, of Charleroi; William F. Mitnick, of Charleroi; Mary J. Petrosky, NA, of Charleroi; Joel F. Rach, M.D., of Charleroi; Susan K. Sawicky, RN, of Richeyville; Valerie J. Stack, LPN, of Donora; Gina M. Stobaugh of Monongahela; Mary F. Youger, RN, of Belle Vernon; and Laura J. Young, RN, of Monongahela.

In addition, the hospital honored 15 staff who had 20 years of service; 28 staff with 15 years of service; 32 staff members with 10 years and 70 with five years.

MVH leaders also honored 21 recent retirees and remembered 18 members of the hospital family who passed away during the last year.

+ posts