Jan Irwin, President, has selected Lavona Claytor, COTA, as Key Rehab’s Golden Key Employee of the Year for 2008-2009. Many people nominated Lavona for this prestigious award, including Kim Knipp (her Regional Supervisor), Larry Nickelson (Regional Vice President), her co-workers, patients and even the facility staff.

Lavona is a very hard worker and is dedicated to helping her patients achieve the best outcomes. She accomplishes this by living by the Key philosophy of always putting the patients first. Her organization is evident in the therapy program at Arkansas City East, where she was promoted to Program Coordinator and has made great improvements since taking the position. Lavona is a very caring and positive person, and everyone around her is benefited by her presence.

Lavona graduated from the COTA program at Tulsa Community College and is currently working on her Bachelors at Friends University in Wichita. She has been married 11 years and has one son, two stepchildren and three grandchildren. Lavona made it very clear that she works with a great team of therapists and wanted to especially thank Mariana Wessling, PTA, for her hard work and dedication. She also said that Kim and Larry help her tremendously, and she greatly appreciates the open communication and quick responses she receives from them.

Jan Irwin presented Lavona with the Employee of the Year Award on Thursday, July 23 during a reception in her honor at Arkansas City East. Congratulations, Lavona!!