17 Deaconess Memorial Employees Nominated for LCM Award

Seventeen Deaconess Memorial Medical Center employees have been nominated for the 2026 Little Company of Mary Award, named for the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, the founders of Deaconess Memorial Medical Center.

Nominated by their co-workers for their exemplary devotion to the hospital’s Mission and Core Values in their daily work, this year’s nominees include:  Raven Arnett, Deaconess Clinic Behavioral Health – Jasper; Tammy Barkley, Infusion Center; Tammy Billings, Deaconess Clinic Family Medicine – Petersburg South; Katie Bower, Diagnostic X-Ray; Sheila Cochren,Behavioral Health; Brittany Fuhrman, Cardiology; Tom Gruenloh, Deaconess Clinic Orthopedics – St. Charles; Brandy Houchin,Deaconess Clinic Family Medicine – Holland; Kimberly Huff, Capacity Management; Lori Luebbehusen, Post-Surgical Services; Paula McCarter-Carlisle, Deaconess Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center; Tracy Merkel, Environmental Services; Patrick Norris, Medical Practice Management; Jodi Patmore, Social Work/Case Management; Heather Uebelhor, Cardiology; Katie Wagler, Cardiology; and Jackie Young, Health Information Management.

Sr. Renee Cunningham, LCM, Deaconess Memorial’s Mission Committee Chairperson, noted “these individuals are not only examples of our mission and core values being lived out in actions and deeds, but they, as individuals, are also a reflection of the quality of caregivers at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center. We are blessed to have them here.”

The nominees will be honored at a Tea on October 8. The award recipient will be announced in November at a prayer service in the hospital chapel.