LUTCHER — St. James Parish Hospital Employees of the Quarter Shannon Jackson and Karen Ocmond were nominated by fellow staff and chosen by the Executive Leadership Team for their dedication to the hospital.

Jackson has worked at St. James Parish Hospital for 13 years and serves as an Admission Specialist.

The 1987 St. James High School graduate attended Thibodaux Technical College, where she earned Certified Nurse’s Assistant and Word Processing Operator certificates. After graduation, she attended Nicholls State University for business.

Admission Specialists Rochelle Jacob and Vonnie Trench nominated Jackson, saying she goes above and beyond her call of duties.

“Her innumerable hours of time dedicated to her department is outstanding,” according to Jacob and Trench. “She will do whatever it takes to make the job run smoothly, even if that means working a double shift.”

Jackson said she is blessed to work at St. James Parish Hospital, because it’s “home where my co-workers and I give the best care possible to a community that means a lot to us.”

“I am truly humble, and I realize that I did not accomplish this alone,” she said. “This award comes from hard work and support from an awesome group of co-workers and family that I cherish. I appreciate the trust that the administration has in me and I want to thank Mary Ellen, CEO, and Tracy, CFO, for their support.”

Ocmond has served St. James Parish Hospital for 31 years, leading the Laboratory Department as director for the past 24. She graduated from Lutcher High School in 1974 and attended Nicholls State University.

She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and completed her internship for Medical Technology at Touro Hospital in New Orleans.

Medical Technologist Monique Hymel nominated Ocmond because she is a great boss and mentor.

“She is constantly asking us for our opinions on how to make things work better in the lab, especially if it helps our doctors and patients get better results,” Hymel said. “If we have ideas, we are not afraid to go to her and present them.”

Ocmond said every member of the lab team strives to provide great community service.

“It is very important to me and the lab team that each and every patient walks away satisfied with the great service they have received,” she said.