JODY HARRIS

CADIZ — Jody Harris, a medical laboratory technician at WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital, has been nominated for the Ohio Hospital Association’s 2023 Albert E. Dyckes Healthcare Worker of the Year Award.

Harris committed herself to improving the lives in her community 35 years ago when she joined Harrison Community Hospital. During the course of her tenure, she has experienced many changes, including an expanding hospital campus, new ownership and innovative changes to the delivery of care; however, throughout these changes one thing has remained constant – the commitment she kept to improving the lives within her community.

Harris exemplifies the Harrison Community Hospital mission through efforts to improve the health of everyone the hospital serves, through excellence in patient care, research and education, hospital officials said.

Patients request her to draw their blood, even when other staff are available, based on her skill and bedside manner, they added.

Harris is routinely nominated for the HCH Apex Performance award, which requires the nominee to lead by example of the four core competencies of the hospital’s culture, something that is reflected in her annual performance appraisal, officials explained.

Harris’ community impact reaches beyond the walls of Harrison Community Hospital. As a member of the Shaffer Chapel Church, she has committed thousands of hours and personal time to promoting the church’s mission to assist the elderly. She has prepared and delivered meals to homebound seniors and facilitated congregation meals at her church.

She has supported seniors through financial assistance programs and fundraising to meet their needs in many other aspects of their daily lives.