Recipients of the Frist Humanitarian Awards were announced at Parkridge Medical Center, Inc. HCA, the parent company of Parkridge Medical Center, which recognizes a volunteer and an employee from each of its facilities annually who demonstrates extraordinary concern for the welfare and happiness of patients and their community.

The volunteer recipients were Kenton Hixson from Parkridge East Hospital and Kathleen Hixon from Parkridge Medical Center. Employee recipients were Ann Ayala, Parkridge East Hospital; Timothy Glascock, Parkridge Medical Center; and Farlie Chastain, Parkridge Valley.

This honor places these volunteers and employees in nomination for the nationwide 2006 Frist Humanitarian Award, the highest honor an employee or volunteer can receive within HCA.

Parkridge officials explained why the honorees were chosen, "Nominated for his caring and kindness, Kenton Hixson exhibits clearly through his volunteer work with Parkridge East that his humanitarian efforts come from the heart. He volunteers because he wants to make a difference. Always smiling, always a friendly word, always ready to help, always upbeat and positive, Kenton is seen by others as truly “giving of self.” He attends Brainerd Baptist Church and volunteers weekly at the Veterans Administration clinic.

"Kathleen Hixon is a Tuesday Red Cross Volunteer and will mark her 30th anniversary as a Red Cross volunteer at Parkridge Medical Center in September. Kathleen is involved in her community and as well as her church – Simpson United Methodist Church. Kathleen is a member of the choir and is also a Sunday School teacher. She is always involved in helping others in times of need. She presents herself as a kind, gentle person greeting visitors and staff at Parkridge. She enjoys directing visitors and delivering flowers, e-mails and cards to the patients.

"Ann Ayala has served as the Sleep Well Center supervisor at Parkridge East Hospital since the beginning of her employment with the hospital in March 2000 and has always been an extremely dedicated employee. She continually looks for ways to increase the service in her department, working with other departments and physicians to accomplish these changes. She stays actively involved with her church, youth organizations, and other community services. Ann has coordinated efforts to provide blankets to the mission field where children are in need of warm clothes and bedding. She volunteers time for projects with Hospice plus she makes blanket throws for the Hospice patients. She is never seen without a smile or without a “good” word for all. Ann’s positive demeanor is contagious. Ann lives her life in faith and it is her faith, courage and love of life that brought her through a personal loss. Her continuing courage and outpouring of kindness to others is an inspiration to all who know her. She recently went on a mission trip to Mexico to an orphanage adopted by her church as part of the World Hope Organization. She has also gone above and beyond professionally exemplified by her recently filling in for an ill conference instructor when she was originally planning on attending as a student.

"Tim Glascock is a Pharmacist at Parkridge Medical Center and his genuine concern for patients is very evident. Tim writes TPN’s (Total Parental Nutrition) bags for the patients who are not receiving the proper nutrition due to an illness. He takes the time to go into a patient’s room to see their condition and considers all aspects before writing the orders. Tim truly goes above and beyond his job by taking calls on his off days from other pharmacists who may need advice due to his level of expertise. He is truly gracious and has a personal modesty and genuine humility that Dr. Frist himself portrayed. Tim is a volunteer Eucharistic Minister and Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church on Lookout Mountain. He sets up for church on Sunday morning and is active in the youth group. He also administers community flu shots at the church on his own time. Tim is a preceptor for pharmacy students at UT, Mercer and Georgia. He is a member of the USP 799 Board and is a speaker on the state and national level for the Society for Anesthesia Nurses. On a personal level, he has much drive and stamina as he often participates in marathons.

"A Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) and the Community Liaison for Child and Adolescent Services at Parkridge Valley, Farlie Chastain is foremost an outstanding patient advocate. He can’t say “no” when called upon to help those in need who have few advocates. Farlie, who joined Parkridge Valley in March 2001, has taken on the role of working with our state residential program and works very closely with the Tennessee Department of Children Services, the courts and legal system, plus families and professionals. He fights for the rights of children and families, all the while serving as a liaison for Parkridge Valley and the community in which he lives. His desire to help others continues in his efforts to help those in the hospital with any questions or concerns. Farlie does everything with a huge amount of passion including such things as the working on the RESPOND Lean event, maintaining the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) census and DCS survey readiness, and interacting with doctors, staff, kids and referral sources. As a devoted husband and father of three boys, Farlie continues his humanitarian efforts in his community through his volunteer involvement with a retirement home, church activities, the school system as well as providing support for his extended family. Farlie was a 2005 Frist nominee."

Other volunteer nominees from Parkridge Medical Center included Mildred Bradley, Evelyn O’Neal, and Dottie Womack. Nominees from the Parkridge East staff included Lisa Lamb, Johanna Plunkett-Jongman, and Tony Sylvester. Nominees from Parkridge Medical Center staff included Terry Davis, Regina Poole and Laura Robinson. Nominees from Parkridge Valley staff included Sharon Morris, George Woods, Rose Lovelace and Terry Davis.

“HCA is committed to delivering quality patient care. We are extremely proud to recognize these recipients for their efforts on behalf of our patients and our community,” said Parkridge Market CEO Darrell Moore. “Their exemplary work and compassion sets a high standard for healthcare professionals. We’re proud to have them as part of our employee/volunteer family. Undoubtedly, our patients benefit from the kind of commitment to humanitarian concerns they demonstrate each day.”

“I am very proud to present these awards,” said Jack O. Bovender, Jr., HCA Chairman and CEO. “These recipients are an inspiration to all our employees and volunteers. Their generosity and dedication serve as a living example of HCA’s commitment to the care and improvement of human life.”