There are many different reasons that people are attracted to work in health care, most of which play an important role in providing high quality care on a daily basis.

Providing that high quality care also comes from many different people with different responsibilities.

At Ministry Health Care’s Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston, housekeeper Kris Contois plays an important role in the dedicated team charged with caring for those who depend on the services the hospital provides.

Contois recently joined 76 other health care employees from across the state at the 2009 Wisconsin Health Care Employee Pride Program recognition dinner at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

The program, sponsored by the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) is designed to celebrate the health care workforce and recognize their “truly amazing” contributions to the health of their communities, according to WHA President Steve Brenton.

“People who work in hospitals are among Wisconsin’s most dedicated and valuable employees. It takes special people to care for others and our communities are richer, safer and healthier places to live because of these professionals,” Brenton said. “Whether they are on the front lines, or supporting those who deliver patient care, every health care employee helps improve the health status in the community where they live and work.”

Employees were asked to describe what led them to choose an occupation in health, and why they decided to work in a hospital. Hundreds of health care employees submitted essays. A committee at each health care facility selected the winning essay, and that person was honored at the recognition banquet May 7.

As Contois put in her submission to the WHA, “This job is very important to me as a health care employee because it is my duty to ensure that every patient and visitor comes into a clean building. I also feel that it is important for me to everything I do like it’s my own family member in the hospital.”

“Kris is a shining example of the dedicated staff that play a key role in delivering the high quality care we provide in Weston,” said Rachel Yaron, vice president of quality and safety at Saint Clare’s Hospital.

The recognition program is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Society of Healthcare human Resources Administration, and the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives.