North Oaks Health System President/CEO Michele Sutton recently joined with
Gary Sandifer of the Natalbany Volunteer Fire Department to present Critical
Care Registered Nurse Joel Roberts with his
Daily Star Future 40 Leadership Award for 2018.
From left are: North Oaks Vice President of Surgical and Emergency Services
Terri Lewis; North Oaks President/CEO Michele Sutton; Gary Sandifer of
the Natalbany Volunteer Fire Department; honoree Joel Roberts; North Oaks
Emergency Services Medical Director Brandon Cambre, MD; North Oaks Emergency
Services Director Eric Neal; North Oaks Emergency Services Unit Manager
Mike Holliday; and North Oaks Chief Nursing Officer Diane Thompson.
Hammond Businessman and Natalbany Volunteer Firefighter Gary Sandifer,
who shares that he took great pride in nominating Joel as a Future 40
Leader, explains:
"A few years ago, a young Southeastern Louisiana University nursing student
came to the Natalbany Volunteer Fire Department expressing an interest
in tesing himself to see what being in emergency services was really like
and whether or not he could handle it. Joel Roberts not only tested himself,
but thrived.
"As a volunteer, he successfully completed Firefighter I school and
became a valuable firefighter/operator. All the while, this young man
was a full-time nursing student managing his demanding curriculum. He
serves as the fire department's secretary and was voted 'Firefighter
of the Year.'
"Fortunately for the community, Joel earned his Nursing degree and
is now on the Emergency Room staff at North Oaks Medical Center as a Critical
Care Registered Nurse.
"Way to 'Lion Up, Joel!'"