Oaklawn honors top physician and employee for 2023 during awards event

MARSHALL – Sara Smith, D.O., has been honored as Oaklawn’s 2023 Physician of the Year, and Sanaa Alshamari was named the 2023 Employee of the Year during a virtual awards presentation on Dec. 13.

The selections were announced by Oaklawn President and CEO Gregg Beeg and other Oaklawn officials during which additional employees were honored. The complete pre-recorded event may be viewed online at http://www.oaklawnhospital.org/2023-service-awards.

Alshamari, who works as a translator at the Oaklawn Medical Group Tekonsha Office, was praised for her professionalism and courtesy with patients and for her ability to help solve problems quickly, noted Oaklawn President and CEO Gregg Beeg.

“You have an incredible talent that has aided so many patients over the past six years of your service,” said Beeg. “Even when patients have been rude to you and fellow staff, it is reported that you continued to serve, so the patient got the best care and returned for several days to continue that care. No area is beneath your help…[You] spend many hours at the hospital in helping women in the birth center welcome their new baby into the world while English is not their spoken language.

“Sanaa, because you are here at the hospital often, we have reserved your parking spot for the year on the second floor of the parking garage across from the elevator.”

Alshamari, who has been nominated for the Employee of the Year Award the past three years, also received a dozen roses, an engraved plaque, a gold pin and $500.

Oaklawn has bestowed the top-employee honor annually since 1978. Sandy Winchell was the 2022 award recipient.

Smith, an OB/GYN, was called “an integral part of the Oaklawn family,” by Oaklawn Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Summer Liston-Crandall.

“As a physician that is obviously respected and admired by their colleagues, their patients, and the greater community, it is with great pleasure that I present the 2023 Oaklawn Physician of the Year award to Dr. Sara Smith,” said Liston-Crandall. “The purpose of this award is to not only acknowledge a physician that exemplifies the culture and values of Oaklawn, but to also honor an individual that is inspiring to members of their profession and dedicated to the needs of their patients.”

Smith was also awarded a reserved parking spot, a dozen roses and an engraved plaque and will name a charity of their choice to receive $500 in their honor.

Smith received several nominations from a variety of departments throughout the hospital. Here are some of the comments:

• This physician serves patients from all walks of life and carries a large caseload which can sometimes be hectic. They do this with respect, compassion, and care.
• They are amazing, kind, caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable.
• They are always willing to listen to staff and help wherever needed.
• This provider goes above and beyond for Oaklawn. They have volunteered to be a part of multiple committees in order for us to be able to meet and make decisions that will better patient care.
• They are very competent, and I would trust them with my own healthcare, and I feel their patients are always in great hands.
• I know we can count on this physician to do what is right, no matter the circumstances. They will always have the patients’ best interests at heart, and they do not cut corners to save time or for convenience.
• They pioneer new patient care workflows to better manage our patients, including our new Insulin protocol, which we’ve never had before for our patients.
• This provider also cares deeply for their patients and goes above and beyond to be available and answer any questions they need. I can’t think of anyone more deserving, and I appreciate everything they do and contribute to Oaklawn.
• I know we can count on this physician to do what is right, no matter the circumstances. They will always have the patients’ best interests at heart, and they do not cut corners to save time or for convenience.
• They pioneer new patient care workflows to better manage our patients, including our new Insulin protocol, which we’ve never had before for our patients.
• This provider also cares deeply for their patients and goes above and beyond to be available and answer any questions they need. I can’t think of anyone more deserving, and I appreciate everything they do and contribute to Oaklawn.

Smith received her bachelors degree from Hope College before attending medical school at Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Smith is da Vinci certified and a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, The American Osteopathic Association, the Michigan Osteopathic Association and DOCARE International. When Smith isn’t busy at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband Joe and daughter Charlotte.   

Eric Ebner, M.D. was Oaklawn’s 2022 Physician of the Year.

To be nominated, a physician must have been a member of Oaklawn’s active medical staff for at least three years, and may be nominated by hospital staff, medical staff or members of the Board of Directors. Members of Oaklawn’s Medical Executive Committee made the final selection.