PHOTOS BY JOHN WEYMER

Janice Allison and Connie McCloud are recognized for 20 years at PTHA.

PTHA staff honored for dedication, service

By Clare Jensen

The staff at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (PTHA) took a break from caring for patients to be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to physical and mental health.

At the annual employee appreciation luncheon May 9, about 200 of the PTHA staff

gathered for a

good meal, prizes and recognition for their service to the Indian community. “We take great pride in the great job that each and every one of you do,” said Tribal Councilmember Bill Sterud, who stressed the importance of good health in the life of every person.

While every PTHA employee was honored with a meal and time off, 37 of them were recognized for their commitment to the health authority, whether it be five, 10, 20 or 30 years on the team.

“There’s just something about this place ­– it’s addicting and it’s great to see people come through this door,” said PTHA switchboard operator Jeanine Allen, who was recognized for sticking with the Tribe for three decades. “Some (patients) move and come back and they can still see the same

people sitting here. It’s nice that they can walk in to a place they’re familiar with.”

Those who have been with the PTHA for 25 years, client advocate coordinator Debra Peterson, chief financial controller Mike Crocker and medical administrative assistant Camille Thornton, all got their time in the spotlight and received Pendleton jackets for their hard work.

The three who hit the quarter of a

century mark are just the people Jeanine Allen was referring to when she mentioned all the familiar faces around the clinic.

Camille Thornton, who spent years at the dental front desk, now works on the medical end of the clinic.

“She came over to the dark side,” joked Medical Director Alan Shelton, who hosted the celebration.

Long-time employee Connie McCloud was honored for her most recent 20 years as cultural coordinator for the Tribe. In total, she has worked for the PTHA more than 30 years, but spent time in another

occupation about a decade or so into her tenure and the tally started over when she returned.

Alan Shelton acknowledged Connie McCloud’s innovation at the PTHA.

“Twenty years ago she started the cultural program – now it’s a nationally recognized program,” he said. “Connie has done a lot of great work here.”

Janice Allison took her very first job at the PTHA, much like Jeanine Allen, 20 years ago and has been there ever since.

“This was the first job I ever had and it changed my whole life for the better – I’ve made lifetime friends here,” she said. “ I think it’s just the people that I work with and our patients. I’ve just grown to really like them and respect them.”

Jeanine Allen agrees, and said she has stuck around so long because of the sense of community and understanding she has with the patients at PTHA and they have with her. “It’s where I belong, and Indian people like to belong,” she said.

“It’s a nice feeling to see your same people coming through the door – and they’re your friends; they’re you’re relatives. You can’t get that rapport at any other place.”

And she said it does not matter if you have worked at PTHA for a week or a decade – you are automatically family.

“It doesn’t matter how long you worked here, as long as you have the desire to work here and you know why you work here: to raise the healthcare status of Native Americans,” she said. “You’re still part of the machine here. You’re still helping the people that this clinic is for and everyone here needs a big round of applause.”

And that is exactly what they got May 9. A chance to relax, socialize and be reminded that the work they do is really important.

“Every single one of you are a part of it: healthcare at all levels,” Tribal Councilmember James V. Miles told the crowd of PTHA staff. “You’re vital and you provide a very important service.”

In addition to the gifts given to employees who hit the five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30-year marks, a variety of door prizes including gift certificates, concert tickets, Emerald Queen Casino gear and artwork were handed over to many staff.

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