Longevity counts at Rusk State Hospital
Recognized employees have 890 years' tenure at Rusk State Hospital
RBY LELAND ACKER
Rusk State Hospital recently honored its employees with long tenures of service during

Employees recognized for five years of service include (front row from left) Teri Marrow, Amy Tylich, Angela Tilley, Lianne Swearingen and Tom Orbison. Second row, same order are Elizabeth Kelly, Mikah Gunter, Kathy Clark, Tangala Boyd, Trish Barlow and Robert Cheshire III. Standing in back from left are RSH superintendent Ted Debbs, Joel Starkey, Diane McClenton, Debra Oglesby, Michelle Duroux, Ryan Rushing, Theresa Cook, Joe Ericson, Rosa Allen and Ladon Arnett.

the annual Rusk State Hospital Service Awards ceremony. Superintendent Tedd Debbs congratulated the staff, telling them that Rusk State Hospital enjoyed a reputation of top-notch service because of their efforts.

Awards were given for each five years of service. This year, employees were honored for a combined 890 years of service.

"I continue to be impressed at the loyalty and dedication of the employees of Rusk State Hospital. In these times having people stay in a job five years is an accomplishment and for someone to stay at the same place of employment for 45 years is truly phenomenal, but to have so many people with 15, 20 and 25 years of longevity truly says something about the work ethic of so many of our staff," said RSH superintendent Ted Debbs. "I want to thank them all for the wonderful job they have done and continue to do for the people they are charged to care for and for making me proud to represent Rusk State Hospital."

TED DEBBS Rusk State Hospital Superintendent

Shirley Boykin was honored for 45 years of service, while Charlsie Session was honored for 35 years of service.

Honored for 30 years of service were: Nancy Mell, Frances Long, Toni Lu, Helen Kirkland and Diane Foreman. Honored for 25 years of service were: Laura Overall, Terry Carrico, Gary Phillips, Robert Tinsley Jr. and Charles Ferris.

Honored for 20 years of service were: Sherrell Thacker, Sharon Luker, Rita Gilmore, Marty Dean, Sandra Fortenberry, Maxie Willis, Melisa Williams, James Scott and Randy Lofton. Honored for 15 years of service were: Cheryl Lubojacky, Martha Jones, Lynda Hudson, Jeanna Heidel, Denise Darby, Carl Valentine, Yolanda Rodriguez, Tammy Philbrick, Ginger Meador and Rebecca Martin.

JUDY GARNER Director of Community Relations

Honored for 10 years were: Michelle Walker, Michelle Henderson, Charlotte Benton, Ann Barton, Sandra Akin, Mark Suggs, Hope Ross, Hermmina Mallory, Karen Lavergne and Phil Farmer. Honored for five years were; Terry Marrow, Amy Tylich, Angela Tilley, Lianne Swearingen, Tom Orbison, Elizabeth Kelly, Mikah Gunter, Kathy Clark, Tangala Boyd, Trish Barlow, Robert Cheshire III, Tedd Debbs, Joel Starkey, Diance McClenton, Debra Oglesby, Michelle Duroux, Ryan Rushing, Theresa Cook, Joe Ericson, Rosa Allen and Landon Arnett.

Rusk State Hospital is the largest employer in Cherokee County with 998 budgeted employees and a payroll of almost $30 million.

ED BRUCE Rusk State Hospital, chief nurse executive 15 year service awards Receiving 15 year service l awards at Rusk State Hospital are (front row from left) Cheryl Lubojacky, Martha Jones, Lynda Hudson, Jeanna Heidel and Denise Darby. Back row, same order are Carl Valentine, Yolanda Rodriguez, Tammy Philbrick, Ginger Meador and Rebecca Martin. 10 year service awards Rusk State Hospital l recently recognized employees with 10 years of service. Front row from left are Michelle Walker, Michelle Henderson, Charlotte Benton, Ann Barton and Sandra Akin. Back row, same order, include: Mark Suggs, Hope Ross, Hermmina Mallory, Karen Lavergne and Phil Farmer.