DECADES OF DEDICATION
Employees honored at 2022 UF Health Shands Milestone Service Awards ceremony
Every day, thousands of patients walk through our doors at UF Health Shands. Each one of us plays a vital role to ensure those patients and visitors receive the care and service they deserve. Hundreds of our colleagues have spent a decade or more of their careers at UF Health living our mission. These long-term employees are recognized annually at the Milestone Service Awards banquet.
“It’s a chance for staff to have fun with their colleagues and reflect on their careers here,” said Kristi Gaver, director of public functions at UF Health Shands. “It is an opportunity for us to show how much their commitment to our patients and families means to us.”
None of us could have guessed that the 2020 Milestone Service Awards ceremony would be the last UF Health event before a pandemic began. The long-awaited return of such a noteworthy night was marked by fragrant floral centerpieces, dazzling photo backdrops, delicious food and memorable recognitions.
This year, we were honored to have three 45-year honorees who have exemplified an outstanding commitment to their careers and to the mission of UF Health.
Charles Waldon, 45 years
Charles Waldon, auto operations technician for the UF Health Shands Building Operations Center, describes himself as friendly, dependable and hardworking. His words to live by are, “If you set goals that motivate you, make sure they are important to you.” For Waldon, his most memorable experience here was starting to work for Shands Hospital and seeing it grow into UF Health Shands. Waldon also wants to thank Larry Benton, former UF Health IT Communications director, for hiring him in the engineering department as a building operator.
“I would like to thank the UF Health Shands family for keeping me aboard for more than 45 years,” Waldon said. “I will always have fun memories of all the people I’ve come in contact with.”
Janice Quitmyer, contract administrator for UF Health Shands Purchasing, would describe herself as honest, humorous and inquisitive. Her hobbies include antiquing, needlepoint, gardening and cooking. She’s been married to her husband for 44 years and has a daughter who also works for UF Health Shands. Quitmyer has had a lot of memorable experiences at UF Health, but some of the ones that will always stand out to her are the Fourth of July parties at Patient Financial Services, or PFS — especially the cookouts and potluck meals.
“I appreciate all of the wonderful people I have been able to work with for the past 45 years,” Quitmyer said. “They are what makes Shands great and it just feels like home.”
“Forty-five years! It seems impossible. I would have never believed I would be here this long when I started as a young 20-year-old,” said Cheryl Ramsey, executive assistant in UF Health Shands Facilities.
To Ramsey, family and faith come first and foremost, and UF Health Shands is a second family to her. She comments that the changes at UF Health have been phenomenal and its growth from a small teaching hospital to a renowned multi-hospital system serving people from all over the world is incredible.
Ramsey has been involved with the planning process for many fundraisers and has assisted in various employee activities. Her division, UF Health Shands Facilities, was involved with Celebrity Waiter Night for many years, which raised funds for our pediatric patients.
“I’m excited about the future of Shands and its long-term vision of patient care,” Ramsey said. “I hope for the best for all.”
