AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach recognizes employee Debra Howard with Starfish Award

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 2, 2019 – AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach recognized Debra Howard, a cook with the hospital’s food and nutritional services department, with the Starfish Award.

This award recognizes team members who are not nurses, but still provide impactful, compassionate patient care.

Howard received an unprecedented 20 nominations for this award. During Hurricane Dorian, Howard went above and beyond to ensure that the hospital staff were prepped with snacks and meals.

“Debra volunteered to come in during Hurricane Dorian to feed an army of people. She was kind, generous and did a great job,” one colleague wrote in nomination of Howard. “She had a fantastic attitude despite any personal concerns she may have had about the storm. The food was also excellent!”

“During the hurricane, Deb made sure we had amazing meals and snacks. I’m so grateful that she volunteered to come in and care for us while we cared for patients,” another colleague wrote. “Deb fed all of us all day. God worked through Deb, I’m sure of it!”

“Debra provided exceptional care to our hospital staff and we couldn’t be prouder,” yet another colleague wrote. “She really dazzled the staff with her abundant, delicious food and her can-do attitude and hard work ethic. Her actions exemplify our whole care service standards and she is very deserving of this award!”

As a Starfish Award winner, Howard received a certificate, starfish pin, small gift, a dozen red roses, and a banner to hang in her department for three months.

About AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach
AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach has 109-beds and is one of the six hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region. Formerly known as Florida Hospital New Smyrna, the organization’s parent company changed the name of all wholly-owned entities to AdventHealth on Jan. 2, 2019. Based in Altamonte Springs, AdventHealth is a connected system of care. With more than 80,000 team members, AdventHealth is one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems with nearly 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites in nearly a dozen states. With the mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach provides whole person care to heal the body, mind and spirit. For more information about AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach, visit AdventHealthNewSmyrnaBeach.com.

Photo Caption:
Debra Howard, a cook in the food and nutritional services department at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach, received the hospital’s Starfish Award. Howard received an unprecedented 20 nominations for this award after going above and beyond during Hurricane Dorian’s impact to the area.