Kathyrn Rickard Celebrated as Curry Health Network Service Excellence Superstar of the Month

April 2021 - Curry Health Network honored Service Excellence Superstar of the Month, Kathyrn Rickard, at a celebration Wednesday, May 12. Kathyrn has been at CHN since 2016 and is currently the medical assistant to family medicine provider, Dr. Stephanie Laudert at Curry Medical Practice in Gold Beach. She was nominated for the award by a patient who has been receiving care for serious, chronic medical conditions. In her nomination letter, the patient praised the attentive and compassionate care shown to her by Kathryn and shared how the difficult months she's experienced have been made better by the personalized attention she receives from Kathryn at every visit for treatment and care. The patient credits Kathryn for being a true partner, thoughtfully remembering details about her medical needs--and her life--and making a trying time a bit easier.

The heartfelt nomination reads:

I have been receiving treatment in the office of Dr. Laudert for two years, since I arrived in Brookings, Oregon. Since the first time I arrived in this office I have been treated by Kathyrn as I enter the office for care. Each time Kathyrn has been friendly, gentle, respectful, and, most importantly, she genuinely cared about me and how I was and what my concerns were or what care I needed. Many times before I could say, she would suggest that perhaps I needed "A" or "B". She was so familiar with my case and my current condition that she usually already knew what I possibly needed before I could tell her. I have a very complicated case that includes Lupus, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. I take a drug store of medications and she knows most of them without looking at the computer. She will ask me if I need particular medications refilled in case I forget to ask. She makes sure that I stay on top of the many check-ups that I need to have each year. She also recommends which doctors or facilities are better than others for particular care. She even helped me get through the menagerie of paperwork, insurance forms, and office appointments that were necessary to get me an electronic chair for my disability. This was no small feat on her part. I know she had to make many phone calls and fax many forms back and forth to make this happen. I am truly grateful. She only called me once to request information from me. The rest of the time, it was all her. She works extraordinarily hard to help her patients feel cared for and she takes really good care of all of her patients. I just thought someone should know. You have a very valuable employee.

With respect, a very grateful patient!
Karen Falchetta

Kathyrn Rickard earned an Associate of Science degree in medical assisting from the Southwestern Oregon Community College. Before joining CHN, Kathyrn had vast experience working in both medical and dental office settings. A special congratulations to Kathyrn, and all of the CHN Service Excellence Superstar nominees, for living the CHN mission and providing our communities with compassionate, quality health care.

Pictured above: (L to R) Ginny Williams, CEO; Kathryn Rickard; Stephanie Laudert, MD