Celebrating Excellence in Patient Experience: Heather Thompson and Emily Clark Honored During PFE Week 

During this year’s Patient and Family Engagement (PFE) Week, we proudly celebrated two members of the Cincinnati Children’s family: Heather Thompson and Emily Clark.  

Heather is the first annual recipient of the Dianne Hater Award for Excellence in Patient Experience. She embodies the spirit of compassionate care and teamwork. Her peers describe her as their “go-to person”—someone who brings calm to challenging situations and always knows how to help. Heather goes above and beyond to make each patient feel truly special. 

These messages from her colleagues reflect her dedication: 

• “Heather is great with patients of all ages and their families. She can always put a smile on their face and even get a chuckle from the most quiet patient.” 

• “She is so knowledgeable and always willing to speak her mind. Heather is an incredible asset to our department, and we’d be lost without her!” 

• “Heather goes above and beyond to make each patient feel special. She helps take care of labs, so patients aren’t stuck more than once. She makes connections with each patient she meets. We would be lost without Heather! Thank you for everything that you do!” 

Heather’s dedication, warmth, and leadership make her a shining example of what patient experience should be. Congratulations, Heather, and thank you for everything you do! 

We also recognized Emily Clark as a top performer in patient experience. Emily’s dedication and work ethic shine through every shift in the MRI division. Her peers describe her as one of the hardest workers—always ready to jump in, help patients, and support her team.  

Here’s what her team had to say: 

• “Emily is always taking the time to give her patients the best care possible. She looks into every detail!” 

• “Little Emily is the hardest worker! Always willing to jump in and help. She is an excellent coworker and amazing with patients. She is direct and knowledgeable.” 

Emily’s commitment to excellence and her compassionate approach make her an invaluable part of our team. Congratulations for being recognized, Emily, and thank you for everything you do!