LUTCHER — Brenda Florent and Natasha Foster were recently named St. James Parish Hospital 2016 Employees of the 4th Quarter, each nominated by staff and chosen by the Executive Leadership Team for their dedication to the hospital.

Florent has worked at St. James Parish Hospital for 29 years. Her primary role is Health Information Management (HIM) Coder, but she also serves as a CNA, Unit Secretary, Patient Access Specialist and CPR instructor when needed. She is a 1975 graduate of Austin High School in Chicago and a 1986 graduate of Stratton College.

Florent was nominated by Susan Duhon, Director of HIM.

“As a leader, I can encourage and promote teamwork but at the end of the day, an individual has to embrace and execute teamwork on his or her own,” Duhon said. “Brenda is this type of individual and is why I am proud to nominate her as Employee of the Quarter.”

After 29 years of service, Florent said she has seen the hospital go through many changes.

“The people, though, have not changed,” she said. “We have always been like a big family — caring about each other and this community and always working together to help make this a wonderful place to work.”

Foster has worked at St. James Parish Hospital for 15 years and serves as a Medical Receptionist. She is a 1994 graduate of East St. John High School and a 1996 graduate of Eastern College, where she received her CNA certification.

Foster was nominated by Peggy Bourgeois, Medical Assistant.

“Natasha is one of the hardest working people in the Medical Office Building,” Bourgeois said. “She very seldom takes time off for herself. She always goes above and beyond her normal duties.”

Foster said she enjoys  working at St. James Parish Hospital because of the family atmosphere.

“People who work in an environment where doing their best is recognized have a better chance of feeling good about their work,” she said.