West Boca Medical Center named Harold Oster, R.N., of the ambulatory care unit and Wendy Fontana, histotechnologist of the laboratory department, as the hospital’s annual Healthcare heroes.

“These heroes are a demonstration of what it means to go above and beyond in a job,” says Walt Mickens, CEO. “Their standard of work ethic serves as motivation to us to achieve great things when serving our patients.”

Fontana, of Lake Worth, joined the WBMC team in 1994. She distinguished herself by leaving her home and returning to work after her shift one evening because she was concerned about a biopsy sample that needed to be urgently sent to a reference laboratory. When she discovered it was not retrieved by the scheduled courier she personally drove the sample to the airport.

Oster, of Boynton Beach, started at the hospital before it officially opened in 1986, transferring from another Tenet facility. He was recognized by a patient for going above and beyond his responsibilities as a nurse before Hurricane Wilma hit. Oster stayed past his shift tending to a patient who had outpatient surgery and then drove the patient home before the hurricane hit.

West Boca Medical Center employees choose the Healthcare Heroes based upon standard criterions that include: service— making everyone a customer; quality — pride and value in one’s work; and people — respect for co-workers and other members of the

hospital family.  Those who demonstrate exceptional adherence to these principles are eligible to be nominated by colleagues.  A committee then reviews nominations and chooses the two winners.  Healthcare Heroes receive $300 in addition to the honor.  They are presented award checks during ceremonies hosted by CEO Walt Mickens.