WORLAND - Washakie Medical Center announced the 2021 Employee of the Year right before a luncheon Friday morning. Getting surprised with the announcement was 5.5-year employee Angela Johnson.

Johnson began work with Banner Washakie Medical Center as an EVS (environmental services) advocate and after a year she applied and moved up to an EVS lead.

She said, "This is one of the best jobs I have ever had. My family has been a great support to me."

Johnson said she was "quite surprised" by the announcement. "I was speechless when I heard I was chosen. I was very honored."

In announcing the award, Chief Financial Officer Jennifer McMillan said, "Angela Johnson is the epitome of a Banner front line staff member and a superior example of commitment to Banner and the Banner mission. Throughout 2021, Angela worked tirelessly to maintain the cleanliness of the building, sometimes at great personal sacrifice. I can easily say Angela was always available and 100% reliable. Her heart, her dedication and her commitment to the team and our quality are phenomenal."

Her immediate supervisor, Landon Wood (EVS manager) said that Johnson is the type of employee you can always count on to come in early, leave late, fill-in where needed.

As for working at WMC, Johnson said, "I knew I had to be here. I knew I was meant to be here" following the interview and meeting the manager at that time. "I fell in love with EVS. There is nothing I don't like."

Johnson described the duties of the EVS as sterilizing the hospital, but noted "we are not housekeepers. We sterilize for patient care."

She said they clean rooms top to bottom including vents, walls, baseboards and more. "It's a very critical job. You have to know what you are doing."

She said they sterilize and "terminal clean" after surgeries, emergency room visits and patient dismissals. Terminal cleaning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims to "remove organic material and significantly reduce and eliminate microbial contamination to ensure that there is no transfer of microorganisms to the next patient."

According to the CDC, the general terminal cleaning process includes:

•Remove soiled/used personal care items (e.g., cups, dishes) for reprocessing (cleaning and disinfecting) or disposal.

•Remove facility-provided linens for reprocessing or disposal.

•Inspect window treatments. If soiled, clean blinds on-site, and remove curtains for laundering.

•Reprocess all reusable (noncritical) patient care equipment.

•Clean and disinfect all low- and high-touch surfaces, including those that may not be accessible when the room/area was occupied (e.g., patient mattress, bedframe, tops of shelves, vents), and floors.

•Clean (scrub) and disinfect handwashing sinks.

Johnson said what she loves the most is hands-on work and the people she works with and "the respect we have for each other."

She added she always is willing to help out if someone is unable to work or if someone has questions.