LUMBERTON — Merry Hardin, an analyst for Imaging Systems, last week was named the 2011 winner of the John D. Drake Distinguished Service Award, Southeastern Regional Medical Center’s highest employee honor. An employee with 19 years of service, Hardin received the award at the annual service awards banquet held Tuesday in the hospital cafeteria.
“Merry has been described by her co-workers as someone who will do whatever she can to make sure the patient comes first,” said SRMC Vice President and CFO Thomas Johnson, who made the surprise presentation.
Hardin, an employee of the Information Technology Department, is the 26th person to be named winner of the Drake Award, which was established by the SRMC board of trustees in 1988 to recognize exceptional service by employees. The Drake award was named in honor of the late John D. Drake, who retired as head cook in 1984 after 38 years of service.
To qualify for the Drake award, an SRMC employee must demonstrate high standards for personal performance on the job, loyalty and dedication to the organization, an excellent attendance record, respect by fellow workers, leadership skills, and a caring attitude toward fellow employees and guests of the medical denter.
“Merry has always shown her dedication to Southeastern by her work ethic,” said Eric Harper, chief information officer for the medical center. “She has a lot of compassion.”
Hardin was presented a framed certificate and an engraved watch as part of the Drake award. Her name will also be added to a plaque that is permanently displayed in the SRMC cafeteria.
Hardin lives in Lumberton with her husband, Donnie, and has four children, Faith, Casey, Caroline and Donovan. She is the daughter of Jean McLean Currin and the late Edward Currin.
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