Behavioral Health Clinical Nurse Manager is “Like the Keel of a Ship through Stormy Waters”

Day Kimball Healthcare Chairman of the Board Joseph Adiletta presents the 2015 employee of the year award to Kathleen “Kate” Mackenzie, RN, MS at a staff celebration held at Day Kimball Hospital on Friday, January 8.

Kathleen Mackenzie has been named employee of the year for 2015 at Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH). She is a clinical nurse manager of the Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit at Day Kimball Hospital, which is part of the DKH integrated medical system. Mackenzie’s selection was announced at a staff event celebrating all of DKH’s 2015 Employees of the Month on Friday, January 8, 2016.

Mackenzie, who has been with DKH since 2005, is responsible for the management of patient care in the Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit, leading and supporting staff to ensure effective and compassionate care. She also works closely with the Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic and behavioral health crisis workers in the Emergency Department to facilitate prompt and coordinated care for those patients who require admission to the inpatient unit. In addition, she serves as a behavioral health liaison to the rest of the hospital, building relationships and processes to enhance patient care.

When asked how she felt about being chosen for this award, Mackenzie said, “I’m honored to have been chosen but I’m also just so proud to be a part of this team. Everyone here works so hard and is so deserving.” 

According to her coworkers, Mackenzie has been deserving of this award for quite some time. At her Employee of the Month celebration in June, Dr. Andre Bessette, Chief Psychologist of Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health at DKH said, “I liken Kate to the keel of a ship – it’s the stuff you don’t see happening under the water line that really sets the course. We have the best keel around in Kate. She helped to sail me through some difficult waters as I was getting acclimated when I first came on board at Day Kimball, and now our child and adolescent program is in a great position,” Bessette said.

But President and CEO Robert Smanik perhaps summed it up best when he said, “With Kate, it really comes from the heart. In every community hospital I’ve been a part of, behavioral health is critical. It’s needed everywhere, but there are always many challenges and it takes a remarkable group of people to do this kind of work. It takes not only clinical expertise but also courage and commitment – and Kate delivers all of that with a smile on her face every single day. It’s truly a gift, and I couldn’t be more impressed.”

Mackenzie holds a MS degree from Eastern CT State University and UCONN and also attended Three Rivers Community College, Norwich, CT, where she earned her RN. She is currently working on her APRN. She has deep ties and a strong commitment to the Northeast Connecticut community and resides in Putnam, with her husband Chas and their three children.

DKH Chairman of the Board Joseph Adiletta honored Mackenzie as well as the other 11 employees of the month at the celebration as well.

“I want all of you to know how important each of you is to this community and this organization, and that the Board recognizes and respects your efforts immensely. It is all of you, and everyone on the Day Kimball team, that make Day Kimball what it is. It’s hard work, and you do it with passion, pride and professionalism,” Adiletta said.

The eleven other employees of the month in 2015 were:

Kyle Cimochowski - Day Kimball Hospital, Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, Mental Health Worker
Mary Perry – Day Kimball Healthcare, Grant Program Manager
Kristen Traficante, RN – Day Kimball Medical Group, OB/GYN
Joanne Wippert – Day Kimball Medical Group, Patient Services Representative
Carol Barbour – Day Kimball Hospital, Commercial Insurance Biller
Tammy Ruiz – Day Kimball Hospital, Patient Access Representative
Robert Andrews - Day Kimball Hospital, Safety Manager
Nancy Cole - Day Kimball Medical Group, Patient Service Representative
Diane Morgan - Day Kimball Hospital, Patient Access Representative
Rachel Bamber, LCSW – Day Kimball HomeCare & Hospice, Medical Social Worker
Barbara Reese, RN – Day Kimball Medical Group, Pediatrics Triage & Charge Nurse