Eddie Stafford, a nursing technician in the Regional Burn Center, was named Memorial Medical Center’s 2014 Employee of the Year.

Stafford lives in Sherman and has been with the nonprofit hospital for 12 years.
“I love helping people and making sure they don’t want for anything,” Stafford said. “The most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients feel safe, secure, at ease and peaceful.”

The Employee of the Year is selected from the 11 individuals named Employee of the Month, January through November each year. Stafford was named the July Employee of the Month for his strong work ethic and friendly attitude.

At the Employee of the Year announcement, held Nov. 23 at Memorial’s Festival of Trees on the state fairgrounds, president and chief executive officer Ed Curtis commended the honorees for their dedication to providing great patient experiences and making Memorial a great place to work.

“These are 11 outstanding employees, and they all are doing extraordinary things as they help us fulfill our mission to improve the health of the people and communities we serve,” Curtis said.

Stafford was selected as the Employee of the Year by members of the Employee of the Month committee, who were impressed by his attitude toward his patients – and his patients’ mutual appreciation for him.

“He is an undercover star employee,” his nomination read. “He represents Memorial with such a great attitude and work ethic. He is an awesome team player, and patients love him. He is someone they won’t forget.”