2026 Legacy Award at UH St. John Medical Center

Compassion is a mainstay of the care received at UH St. John Medical Center.

Its story can be traced to two pivotal and historical moments: the arrival of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in 1851 and the beginnings of University Hospitals health system in 1866.

These pioneering men and women strove to treat the neediest as the worthiest in the spirit of charity.

UH St. John Medical Center established the Legacy Award in the fall of 2025 to honor a caregiver who embodies the legacy and mission of their founders. 18 caregivers were nominated, but this year’s awardee is Sarah Sittinger, a nurse who works in angiography. In a procedural area like this, Sarah only has brief encounters with her patients. Nonetheless, several specific examples illustrate that Sarah goes to great lengths to protect the dignity of her patients and does so tirelessly and without seeking recognition. Congratulations to Sarah Sittinger, our 2026 Legacy Award winner!

The 2026 LEGACY Award nominees included Laschelle Williams, Shannon Whitney, Rachel Kelch, Jenn Mogus, Sarah Sittinger, Linda Lessick, Elizabeth (Lisa) Justin, Victoria Chandler, Mediha Qureshi, Nicole (Nicki) Hurley, Johnny Jackson, Paul Yrad, Erin O’Connell, Steve Logar, April Colvig and Megan Hylton. These men and women represent a broad number of hospital departments including nursing, radiology, physical therapy, patient access (registration), environmental services, IT and more.

These nominations reflect the extraordinary ways caregivers and staff at UH St. John Medical Center live their mission each day. Across all nominations, several themes emerged consistently: a deep commitment to human dignity, compassionate advocacy for vulnerable patients and families, selfless service beyond assigned responsibilities, and a dedication to supporting colleagues and strengthening teams.

Nominators shared examples of employees quietly meeting unmet patient needs, preserving dignity during difficult circumstances, reuniting families during end-of-life situations, identifying and responding to safety concerns, and accompanying patients and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. Others were recognized for mentoring coworkers, creating cultures of belonging, and routinely placing the needs of others above their own convenience or recognition.

Collectively, these nominations demonstrate that legacy is built through everyday acts of compassion, presence, advocacy, and service. The nominees exemplify the values that define our organization and reinforce a culture where patients, families, and colleagues feel seen, valued, and cared for.

One nominee gave a patient her coat, telling her, “It doesn’t fit anymore anyway,” preserving the patient’s dignity.

Another nominee, caring for a patient who was nearing death, made sure that the patient’s son could come home from active duty to be with his father as he passed.

Another nominee suspected a case of elder abuse, and spent hours looking into the patient’s situation to ensure he wasn’t being taken advantage of.

Congratulations to all the 2026 UH St. John Medical Center Award nominees!