Methodist Medical Center announces 2012 MMCer of the Year

Bobby Abshire, an attendant and member of the “lift team” in the Transport department at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the 2012 MMCer of the Year.

Hospital employees cast their votes for MMCer of the Year among the candidates who received MMCer of the Month during the year, and Abshire, who was named MMCer of the Month in November, received the greatest number of votes to earn this special distinction.

Upon receiving the award for MMCer of the Year, Abshire, who was in a Transport department staff meeting at the time, looked to his co-workers with a thumbs-up and gave them credit for their hard work and support.

In his job, Abshire helps nurses move patients in and out of their beds and transports them to their tests. He has been with Methodist since 2007.

Abshire is described by manager Sheila Doughty as “a huge asset to the Transport department.” She notes how Abshire “wears two hats” as he works as both a transporter and the “lift team guy.”

Doughty says, “He always has a smile on his face and a great attitude no matter how many patients are on his list.”

The person who nominated Abshire says, “He always knows his patients and is dependable to get people up and down out of bed.”

His nomination notes that Abshire is well liked by his co-workers and is always willing to help them. His patients feel comfortable and safe in his care, which is important as he moves them in and out of beds and chairs.

Abshire commented on his work: “I enjoy my job and enjoy helping my patients and their families. God has richly blessed me and I’m very thankful.”

Abshire lives in Petros with his wife Phyllis. They have a daughter, Leslie, and two granddaughters, Lily and Emily. Abshire is a member of Petros Baptist Church and in his spare time, he enjoys gardening and yard work, and spending time with his granddaughters and his wife, “sweet Phyllis, my best friend.”