Every month the Community Health Center of Branch County salutes the Employee of the Month. The award is a great accomplishment that recognizes a positive work ethic and excellent customer service. The Employee of the Month is nominated by fellow employees and CHC rewards the recipient with special recognition and gifts.

CHC is proud to recognize Darene Sargent as August’s Employee of the Month. Darene Sargent is the Executive Assistant to the CEO at CHC. Darene was hired at CHC in February 1985. Her job duties include providing clerical support to Randy DeGroot and the Board of Trustees. She coordinates annual surveys; and communicates with the medical staff, county officials, and other hospital associates. According to her nominator, “Darene always has a positive attitude and is very helpful when I need her. She gives my department ample time when she needs food for functions or when she has to cancel them. She thinks about each and every detail which makes our jobs much easier. Darene has a friendly and professional demeanor and is able to interact with folks at all levels within the organization. Please accept this nomination for the Employee of the Month award.”

Sargent is from Quincy and graduated from Camelback High School in Phoenix, AZ; she attended one year at Phoenix Junior College. She enjoys reading, gardening, going to her granddaughter’s volleyball games, and visiting her other granddaughter at NMU. Darene is involved with organizations such as the Hospitality and Barnabas Ministry Team at Union Church and Eastern Star.

Darene has two children; Darla who lives in Quincy and works at Southern Michigan Bank and Trust, and Duane who lives in Tulsa, OK and works for American Airlines. She has four grandchildren; two live in Tulsa and two in Quincy. Darene was born in Pennsylvania, grew up in Arizona and some how found her way to Michigan 30 years ago.

Darene will be retiring from CHC in 12 weeks where she has spent an enjoyable 25 years. She is looking forward to retirement, but knows she will truly miss everyone here at CHC. Darene plans to travel and spend time with family and friends in Arizona.