Momi Snider and the Chairman's Award. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

MEDIA RELEASE

Joelyn “Momi” Snider, recreation director for the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home recently was presented with the Avalon HCI Corporation’s first Chairman’s Award at its leadership conference in Salt Lake City.

Avalon HCI is a group of related companies, with more than 4,700 employees, that provide health care and health care management services in Utah, Arizona, California, Washington, and Hawaii.

The two founding owners of Avalon HCI were on hand to present Snider with their highest award as she best personified the Avalon foundational belief: “We embrace a reverence for life, and a heart for healing.”

”Our business puts people first and was founded on the principles that recognize the worth of every individual. Our success depends upon our ability to create and maintain a nurturing environment where individuality is promoted and dignity is preserved. This award was created because Momi stood out so much that awarding her our Corporations Employee of the Year Award just wasn’t good enough” said Randy Kirton, board chairman and co-founder of Avalon Health Care.

John Johnson, administrator for the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home – Hilo, said “Momi receiving this corporate wide award just confirms what we at the State Veterans Home in Hilo have known for a long time, that Momi is the best Recreation Director that any of us has ever seen.”

He added that “with the help of her staff, she has created an environment where our residents dignity is preserved and our patients individuality is celebrated.”

Richard Uejo, a retired chaplain and his wife Sue, both residents at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home said, “Momi always places the best interest of the residents as a priority. She is always there for us; and along with her staff makes sure we’re provided with stimulating programs and fun recreation which is essential to everyone’s well being.”