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Aultman Health Orrville Hospital Employee Receives Annual Statewide Health Care Worker of the Year Award

May 20, 2026

Columbus, Ohio – 43215 (May 20, 2026) – The Ohio Hospital Association’s Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year award honoree is Kimberly Masters (Orrville), Radiology Tech Specialist, Aultman Health Orrville Hospital. The award was presented on May 20 during an awards ceremony event at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. OHA received 70 nominations for the health care worker of the year award.

OHA President and CEO Mike Abrams shared this message to all the honorees during the awards event, “These caregivers reflect the skill, teamwork and care that define Ohio’s hospitals and health systems. To all of our nominees and honorees – thank you. Your work makes a difference in ways that ripple far beyond any single moment.”

Five finalists for the award were also announced, including:

  • Paige Donahue, RN, Mount Carmel Grove City (Grove City)
  • Bruce Kidney, RN, Kettering Health Dayton (Dayton)
  • Rebecca McClarren, MD, Fulton County Health Center (Wauseon)
  • Kenneth McHattie, MS, CPXP, Memorial Hospital (Marysville)
  • Julie Warren, Wood County Hospital (Bowling Green)

OHA’s Health Care Worker of the Year Award is presented each year to one Ohio caregiver who personifies a leader, motivates colleagues, influences others, provides valuable service and contributes, exemplifies the mission, vision and values of the organization, and has an impact in their community.

OHA invites member hospitals and health systems to nominate one outstanding professional for consideration for Health Care Worker of the Year. OHA enlisted a panel of outside reviewers to help identify this year’s five finalists and ultimate recipient. The award was established in 1996.

OHA also presented its annual leadership awards on May 20 to these honorees:

  • Deborah Feldman, MPA, CEO, Dayton Children’s Hospital received OHA’s Donald R. Newkirk Award.
  • Ohio’s Zone Leads during the COVID-19 Pandemic received OHA’s James R. Castle Distinguished Service Award. Those who received this award are: Richard Lofgren, MD, MPH, FACP, former President & CEO, UC Health; Andy Thomas, MD, MBA, Chief Clinical Officer, Senior Associate Vice President, Health Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and Robert Wyllie, MD, Emeritus Staff and former Chief of Medical Operations, Cleveland Clinic.

Click here – event photos of 2026 Health Care Worker of the Year finalists and honoree and leadership award honorees.

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