Mel Mallin with Ron Stokes, RN.
The Lore and Mel Mallin Award for Employee Excellence recognizes one staff member annually. This employee best exemplifies the KCH Guiding Principles of Compassion, Enrichment, Choices, Expertise, Respect, Balance, Stewardship, and Excellence.
Mel Mallin and his wife, Lore, married in 1949. They enjoyed an impressive 62 happy years together before Lore’s death in 2011. Together, Mel and Lore forged a strong bond that fostered a thriving entrepreneurial career. Their a close-knit family includes three children and three grandchildren.
Mel’s name sounds familiar? It’s likely due to the instrumental role he played in the revitalization of the River Market and Garment District. These areas of downtown Kansas City included the conversion of long-vacant warehouses into beautiful condominiums.
Though Mel earned his living as a businessman, his passion in life is education. At 96 years old, he is undaunted by age and continues to learn from his life experiences. He recalls the exceptional care provided by Kansas City Hospice to Lore as her death approached in 2011. Mel was impressed by our expert knowledge in hospice care, as well as the compassion shown not only to Lore, but to the entire Mallin family.
A mission he could support
Mel felt driven to further the Kansas City Hospice mission. He recognized the need for continuing education within the medical field. So, building on his lifelong love for learning, he worked with KCH to establish this award. The Lore and Mel Mallin Award for Employee Excellence was first awarded in 2020.
Mel presents the award annually to one KCH employee. This recognition supports professional development and training opportunities for KCH team members. It also assures expertise in the hospice field for the Kansas City community. It honors not only the dedication of KCH employees, but the undaunted spirit shown by the Mallins. Their perseverance is an inspiration for the work we do today, and for our dedication to furthering the hospice field as an enduring resource for future generations.
Ronald Stokes, RN
Ronald Stokes, RN
And the award for employee excellence goes to a most deserving recipient, Ronald Stokes. Ron is a nurse on our After-hours and Weekend (AWE) Team. He specializes in complicated wound care, but is always available to his colleagues to help in any situation. Weekly, we hear stories about Ron staying late or working on his day off to be sure that each person who needs care receives his best efforts. Families often relate how Ron made their loved one feel more comfortable and how his compassionate care touched their lives.
One of the co-workers who nominated said that Ron especially embodies the Guiding Principles of Expertise and Excellence. “Ron does so much to help teach and support not only our patients and those in our care, but his fellow nurses, as well. He has worked hard to develop our wound care guidelines.”
Besides his outstanding work as a nurse, Ron has a special passion for working with children. He is a member of the 501st Legion, an organization of Star Wars enthusiasts, who perform costumed charity and volunteer work in the community. Ron’s ability to connect with children and adults alike makes him an invaluable member of our compassionate team.
501st Legion, Dark Empire, Rebel Legion, and Mandalorian Mercs
In grateful appreciation from the Mallin family, Ron will receive a cash award for his personal benefit, and an additional amount will be directed in support of professional development opportunities for Kansas City Hospice staff. Ron’s name will be the first to be inscribed on recognition plaques which will be hung at each one of our physical locations. Each year, a new winner’s name will be added.
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