Library: News Releases
TULSA --- Three individuals and a business received commendations from Gov. Brad Henry on Nov. 8 at the 20th Annual Governor’s Disability Employment Awards ceremony held at the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City. Melinda Karns, Marie Barnett, Patti Oertle-Phaneuf and the Albertson’s on East 80th Street South were among 15 individuals and 11 businesses honored.
Karns was recognized in the employee category for her outstanding achievements in employment. The awards program stated, “Melinda Karns has worked for the past three and a half years in housekeeping at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa.
She is very proud of her work and actually enjoys her employee evaluations. She values the positive input from her supervisor as well as the pay raises that show her she is doing a good job. Melinda has always dreamed of owning her own home. With her current job and earning power, that dream is not far from becoming a reality.
Melinda has achieved a level of financial independence that would never have been possible without her job and the support she receives from the National Community Development Corporation of Oklahoma. She is proud to be a tax-paying citizen and to give back to the system that has helped support her for most of her life.”
Barnett, Oertle-Phaneuf and the Albertson’s were all recognized in the business category for hiring persons with disabilities and helping them to succeed. The awards program stated this about each one:
- “Marie Barnett is the supervisor of the housekeeping department at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa. She has been responsible for the hiring of four individuals from the National Community Development Corporation (NCDC). Marie was raised with a sister who had developmental disabilities and learned through her life experiences that the best way to help a individual is to teach how to use their own abilities and talents, whatever they happen to be. Marie also worked at NCDC as a direct care professional and recognized these jobs as opportunities for people with disabilities. She has been a valuable asset to the supported employment program. Marie has used her love as a sibling and compassion as a professional in supervising these employees, and she is always looking for new ways to include others.”
- “Patti Oertle-Phaneuf, the owner of Key Personnel in Tulsa, knows the business of finding people jobs. When she was approached about hiring someone with a disability to work in her office, she whole-heartedly took on the challenge. Patti found some extra work in her office and created a position for a man with very involved disabilities. Patti is continually adapting the job to fit this employee’s skill level and is even creating a special filing system that he can understand and manage. She has been very understanding and patient regarding this employee’s needs, and has even allowed his residential staff to come into the workplace to provide specialized training to the other employees. Patti has made sure that this job is a good fit for this employee because that is what the personnel business is all about.”
- “The Albertson’s Grocery Store on East 80th Street South in Tulsa employs two people through the Central Technology Supported Employment Program. One of these individuals has been working for more than a year and both are included in everything sponsored for the employees. Albertson’s always treats the employment training specialists with respect and allows them to take part in employee orientations, computer-based and on-site trainings. The personnel department is good about contacting Central Tech any time it has new employment opportunities that would work well for supported employees. The Albertson’s Grocery chain has more than 2,300 stores across the nation. It has been a great example to other big businesses and understands the benefits in utilizing the skills and potential of persons with disabilities.”
The Governor’s Disability Employment Awards are held each year to honor outstanding persons with disabilities who have made achievements in employment. The awards also honor businesses that hire persons with disabilities and enable them to succeed.
The awards are co-sponsored by state organizations that support people with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment. They are the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division; the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Oklahoma Association of Persons in Supported Employment and the Office of Handicapped Concerns.
###
**NOTE TO EDITOR: High-resolution photos of the recipients are available upon request.
