Crowe receives prestigious award
Cherokee – The groundwork for a local resident to be named this year’s recipient of the Lula Owl Gloyne Person of Excellence Award began 12 years ago.
It was the 2012 Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Gala. In just its second year, the extravaganza raised enough money to purchase new ophthalmology equipment for the hospital’s eye clinic.
Fast forward to the 2024 event, where today’s manager of that same clinic received the esteemed Lula Owl Gloyne Person of Excellence Award. Susan Crowe was presented with the honor before a packed room at the June 15 gala held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Event Center.
The first member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to be certified as a registered nurse, Gloyne’s namesake award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant impact in the health-care field. A release about the award – first presented in 2021 – says recipients “reflect core values such as selflessness, resilience and vision, essential to advancing health care for the Cherokee community.”
“Susan Crowe epitomizes these values,” Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Chairman Dale Robinson Jr. said while introducing Crowe’s distinction. “Her journey with Cherokee Indian Hospital began with the integration of new ophthalmology equipment into the CIHA network.
“Over her career, Susan has been instrumental in shaping the eye clinic, working tirelessly with opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists and the hospital’s executive board to establish a state-of-the-art facility serving the community with excellence.”
Crowe learned that she was this year’s winner in late April. The release about her award included more details about her character, pointing out that she often works through personal breaks to interact in a compassionate manner with patients in the clinic’s lobby.
She began her time at the clinic over a decade ago, when the facility switched from private ownership to coming under the direction of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority.
Robinson’s speech ended with a summary of the impact Crowe has had on helping develop the clinic.
The 13th annual gala highlighted other noteworthy tasks the foundation has been able to accomplish, including:
* The Carmaleta Monteith Education Endowment, which raised $100,000 last year. The endowment provides financial aid to hospital employees who actively work to pursue their education and training;
* Purchasing children’s toys for the emergency room at the hospital;
* Upgrades to digital mammography services;
* The installation of playground equipment at the women’s home.
“This wouldn’t be possible without each of you here tonight. Thank you,” Robinson said.