HUMAN SERVICES CENTER
George S. Mickelson Center for the Neurosciences
What's New

 

LOIS TINDLE HONORED AS HSC’S EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

     Lois Tindle has been honored as the July Employee of the Month, announced Cory D. Nelson, MPA, Administrator/CEO at the South Dakota Human Services Center (HSC), Yankton, South Dakota.  

     Tindle began employment at HSC seven years ago in June of 2001.  She began work and continues serving as an Accounting Assistant in the Business Office.

     Tindle attended Northeast  Nebraska Community College in Norfolk, where she earned an Associate Degree in Accounting.  She then worked and took additional classes at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.  Before seeking employment at HSC, Tindle worked at Gurney’s Seed & Nursery until the company closed the Yankton office. 

     In honoring Tindle as Employee of the Month, colleagues praised her knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and Insurance.  She is recognized for her strong and positive commitment to accuracy and serving the patients and staff.  Co-workers praised Tindle for meeting all the pillars of Character Counts, which include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. 

    Lois and her husband Bill Tindle live in Crofton, Nebraska, with their two daughters. 

    Tindle was honored by her colleagues with a reception held this month at HSC.  

 

KAY FISCUS HONORED AS HSC’S JUNE EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

     Kay Fiscus has been honored as the June Employee of the Month, announced Cory D. Nelson, MPA, Administrator/CEO at the South Dakota Human Services Center (HSC), Yankton, South Dakota.  

     Fiscus began employment at HSC in 1991, working in the Geriatric Program. She later transferred to the Acute Program serving Cedar I, and currently works on the Birch II Unit of the Adolescent Program.  Fiscus has served as a Mental Health Aide throughout her 17 years of service to HSC.    

     In the nominations honoring Fiscus as HSC’s Employee of the Month, colleagues  praised her commitment to the Character Counts! pillars of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.  Colleagues praised how effectively   Fiscus follows through with requests, is loyal to her job, gives respect – and, in return, gets respect. 

     Fiscus and her husband Gene live in Yankton.  They have two children; their daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren live in Vermillion, and their son lives in Seattle, WA.    

CHERI MONTAGNE HONORED AS HSC’S MAY EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

     Cheri Montagne has been honored as the May Employee of the Month, announced Cory D. Nelson, Administrator/CEO at the South Dakota Human Services Center (HSC), Yankton, South Dakota.     

     Montagne began employment at HSC in 1999.  She currently serves as a Training Specialist with Staff Development conducting new employee orientation and staff continuing education.  She previously worked with South Dakota Child Protection as a Licensing Social Worker and Trainer for 10 years. 

     Montagne earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.  She is certified by the Crisis Prevention Institute as a Master Instructor for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Applied Physical Training, and Life Space Crisis Intervention.  She is an American Heart Association Basic Life Support instructor.  Montagne currently serves as a member of HSC’s Education Committee and previously served as a member of the Employee Recognition Committee.

     In the nominations honoring Montagne as HSC’s Employee of the Month, colleagues  praised her ability to develop rapport with patients.   

     Montagne lives in rural Yankton with her husband Pete, daughter Annie, and granddaughter Sophie.  She has nine other children and multiple grandchildren who live throughout the area.

KAY MEHLHAFF HONORED AS HSC’S APRIL EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

     Kay Mehlhaff has been honored as the April Employee of the Month, announced Cory D. Nelson, Administrator/CEO at the South Dakota Human Services Center (HSC), Yankton, South Dakota.  

     Mehlhaff began employment at HSC in 1992.  She currently serves as a Charge Nurse with Staff Development conducting new employee orientation, staff continuing education and nurse training.  Mehlhaff provides nursing support for Electro-Convulsive Therapy and is the nurse educator for the Assisted Dining Training.  

     Mehlhaff is a graduate of Dakota Wesleyan, Mitchell, South Dakota.  She is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and is an American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor-Faculty.  Mehlhaff is one of HSC’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Instructors, certified by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).  She also completed additional CPI instructor training in Applied Physical Training. 

     In the nominations honoring Mehlhaff as HSC’s Employee of the Month, colleagues  praised her professionalism.  Mehlhaff is recognized for consistently being personable, reliable and responsible in completing her duties.

     Kay and her husband Larry Mehlhaff live in Kaylor, South Dakota. 

JEREMY JOHNSON HONORED AS HSC’S EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

    Jeremy Johnson has been honored as the March Employee of the Month, announced Cory D. Nelson, Administrator/CEO at the South Dakota Human Services Center (HSC), Yankton, South Dakota.  

     Johnson began employment at HSC in September 2002.  He has served as a Human Services Social Worker in the Geriatric Department throughout his entire five-and-one-half-years of employment.  Johnson is one of HSC’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Instructors, certified by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).  He also completed additional CPI instructor training in Life Space Crisis Intervention. 

     Johnson is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, where he completed a Bachelors of Social Work degree.  He is completing a Master of Social Work at this time through the University of Iowa. 

     In the nominations honoring Johnson as HSC’s Employee of the Month, colleagues  praised his professionalism.  Johnson is recognized for being compassionate with the patients, their families, and his co-workers. 

     Johnson and his wife Rebecca live in Yankton, South Dakota.

DON WHITMIRE HONORED AS HSC’S EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

     Don Whitmire, of Fordyce, Nebraska, has been honored as the February Employee of the Month, announced Cory D. Nelson, Administrator/CEO at the South Dakota Human Services Center (HSC), Yankton, South Dakota.   

     Whitmire earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Wayne State College, Wayne, Nebraska.  Whitmire began employment at HSC in 2006.  He currently serves as a Lead Counselor with the Cedar II Intensive Treatment Unit of the Adolescent Program.  Whitmire is one of HSC’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Instructors, certified by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).  He also completed additional CPI instructor training in Life Space Crisis Intervention. 

     In the nominations honoring Whitmire as HSC’s Employee of the Month, colleagues  praised his positive attitude.  Whitmire is recognized for being a very kind, caring, and compassionate employee.  He is a hard worker who consistently maintains professionalism in performing his duties.     

     Whitmire will be honored by his colleagues with an Employee of the Month reception held in February.

SARAH HOXENG HONORED AS HSC’S EMPLOYEE OF MONTH

 Sarah Hoxeng has been honored as the first 2008 Employee of the Month, announced Cory D. Nelson, Administrator/CEO at the South Dakota Human Services Center (HSC), Yankton, South Dakota.  

      Hoxeng began employment at HSC in 2005, when she transferred from a position with the South Dakota Department of Social Services.  She currently serves as a Psychiatric Social Worker with the Maple I Unit of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program.

      In the nominations honoring Hoxeng as HSC’s January Employee of the Month, colleagues and patients praised her professional skills.  Hoxeng is recognized for being a hard worker with a positive attitude projecting a great outlook on life..  Hoxeng is very kind, caring, compassionate and is always willing to help patients and staff. 

      Hoxeng earned a Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.  Hoxeng lives in Volin with her husband Tyler and 8 month old daughter Taylor.  Hoxeng is the daughter of Roger and Pam Hamilton, Yankton.    

      Hoxeng will be honored by her colleagues with an Employee of the Month reception held during January.