Celebrating our Employees

Celebrating our employees is an important part of creating connection to our culture and greater purpose for our team members. Our team members go above and beyond to be kind, safe, and courageous. Difference Makers are nominated by their colleagues for impacting the lives of their patients and team members through exceptional actions.

Meet our recent Difference Makers:

Mercedes Alvarado, RN
Inpatient Medical

I am the Difference between alone and cared for.

“I was transferred from a small hospital with a GI bleed. My husband and I were both nervous. When Mercedes came on shift, she got an IV started and explained what was going to happen.  She made both of us feel much more comfortable.  Whenever she was on shift, I was able to relax and know I would be taken well care of.  My husband felt comfortable going back home knowing that Mercedes was taking care of me.  I know hospitals are understaffed and busy, but she never let on that I wasn’t her only patient.  Mercedes made a long stay bearable for someone who does not do well with being confined to small spaces and limited activity.  She answered all of our questions and made sure that we understood the why’s behind things.  Mercedes is the example of what nurses should be!”

Lisa Sides & Kelsey Grice
Radiation Therapists

Cancer Center

I am the Difference between sadness and encouragement.

Congratulations to Difference Makers Kelsey Grice and Lisa Sides. They make a difference for numerous hospital departments by organizing donation efforts from the Cancer Center. They coordinated donations of snack/fruit items, gift cards, words of encouragement, and cash for the hospital units on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stephanie Silva, RN
Women's and Children's Services

I am the difference between rigid and flexible.

Stephanie started her orientation on the Inpatient Pediatric Unit after relocating here from Rapid City. She has done a great job orienting to the unit and to the hospital in general. She has swapped numerous shifts due to other staff members being out on quarantine due to COVID. She is now working night shifts instead of day shifts. Her “right out of the gate” flexibility and positive attitude are a great asset to our team, and we are very fortunate that she has joined us. She is a stellar example of “I am the Difference”.

Amanda Haithcox, RN
Inpatient Medical

I am the Difference between darkness and light.

Congratulations to Difference Maker Amanda Haithcox, manager of Inpatient Medical. During this difficult time, she has been a prime example of inspiration and encouragement. She strengthens and builds her team up and has been a profound advocate. She is always kind and listens to difficulties and does her best to facilitate the needs of the team. She has gone to great lengths to ensure safety. Without her leadership we would not succeed in these times of tribulation. She deserves a great deal of respect and recognition. She is the light in the dark for us to follow.

Shelley Phelps
Information Technology

I am the Difference between confused and technically savvy.

Congratulations to Difference Maker Shelley Phelps with IT for going above and beyond on the weekend to help a physician and give her the best opportunity to be successful. Shelley works tirelessly as the lead on the provider informatics team to train and support physicians and APPs. It’s people like Shelley who make Billings Clinic just a special place to come to work.

Tamara Roche
Clinic Operations

I am the difference between searching and home.

Congratulations to Difference Maker Tamara Roche, Technical Assistant in Clinical Operations.  She goes above and beyond to make a positive impact for our patients and staff at Billings Clinic despite anxieties that many of us are feeling during this difficult time.  She even opened her home to traveling nurses responding to COVID and helped others find accommodations.  She recognizes our urgent needs and tries to help with overcoming some of these barriers. She is always willing to help where needed whatever the ask and is the true embodiment of “I am the Difference.”