Jamestown Regional Medical Center recently announced Registered Nurse MeLisa Roaldson as its most recent Legend Award recipient.

The Legend Award is the most prestigious distinction for a JRMC employee. The award recognizes employees who exceed expectations and are THE difference in the lives of those they serve.

JRMC Urologist Dr. Robert J. Bates nominated Roaldson because of her legendary attitude and care for patients and her team members.

“Sometimes the brightest stars shine so consistently that they go unrecognized for what a difference they make in the lives of all of those around them,” Dr. Bates wrote. “She is my hero and my inspiration to do better at what we do every day.”

From Wimbledon, N.D., Roaldson joined the JRMC team in 2015.

JRMC’s 350 employees cast anonymous votes to select each Legend Award winner.

The purpose of the Legend Award is to inspire, motivate and capture the moments that define JRMC. The goal is to help employees and volunteers connect to the sense of purpose that brought them to the organization. This award is for employees who’ve made extreme efforts to benefit their patients and colleagues.

“The nominations inspire staff members to continually be the best, exceed expectations and make THE difference in the lives of those we serve,” said JRMC President & CEO, Mike Delfs.

Once nominated, both JRMC administration and employees vote on their favorite nominees and their stories.

“As a nurse, MeLisa provides a sense of calm and comfort for her patients and their family members. I have watched MeLisa share a hug with a patient or lighten a situation with kindness and laughter,” said JRMC Chief Operating Officer Ricki Ramlo. “As a Legend Award recipient, MeLisa is a perfect example of years of consistent commitment to performing with selfless purpose and providing legendary care each day. She is committed to taking good care of her patients whether it is face to face or working on process improvements. MeLisa was a large part of the success of a team that recently worked on telecommunication updates in the JRMC Clinic and her ‘can do’ attitude is contagious. Her steady demeanor and calm approach is celebrated and are part of the JRMC work culture.”

The Legend Award first began in 2012. Since then, more than 40 individuals have been named Legends and more than 115 employees were nominated.


The Best of the Blizzard

Sometimes the brightest stars shine so brightly and so consistently that they can go unrecognized for what a difference they make in the lives of all of those around them. I sincerely doubt that anyone who has been part of the legendary JRMC family fails to recognize how MeLisa has contributed to the health and well-being of our organization. There is never a sad day, a day of self-pity or a day during which she will not go well out of her way to help her fellow employees do their jobs and our patients to enjoy the best care available.

Does anyone here know more people and their connections? Does anyone ever smile more or laugh more loudly? Does anyone ever have a greater ability to know how to “get things done” quickly, happily and efficiently? Does anyone know how to do so many jobs? Does anyone have the ability to make patients feel at home, cared for and, indeed, loved? Has anyone gone out into our community to trumpet the values and commitment of JRMC?

I can’t think of anyone. Can you?

I have had the distinct pleasure of having Melisa as my professional companion. We do the best we can to give the best there is to our patients in the JRMC Clinic. I would not be able to do what I do and the patient’s in the clinic would not be receiving the great care that they receive without MeLisa being there for all of us.

Her story is not a one of legendary story, it is a story that is legendary in its consistent day after day attention to the emotional needs of her patients equally to their physical needs. She is my hero and, despite my advanced age, my inspiration to do better at what we do every day.