Health & Wellness

January 27, 2026 – Memorial Health has nominated Kenneth McHattie, MS, CPXP, and Director of Patient Experience, as their nominee for the 2026 Ohio Hospital Association’s (OHA) Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to one Ohio healthcare employee who personifies leadership, reflects the mission and values of his or her organization, routinely performs work in an exemplary manner, and gives back to the community.

McHattie has served as Director of Patient Experience since 2015. During his decade-long tenure, Memorial has made remarkable strides in patient experience, with McHattie’s leadership playing a pivotal role in that success. Major milestones include:

• A dedicated advocate for patients across Memorial’s expanding health system, McHattie is actively present at the bedside, in physician exam rooms, and wherever patients need support. He works directly on their behalf to address concerns quickly and effectively, allowing patients to remain focused on what matters most – healing.
• Under his leadership, Memorial achieved a 90% “top box” rating across patient satisfaction surveys, meaning nine out of ten patients selected the most positive response option when evaluating their care at Memorial. This level of performance reflects an exceptionally high standard of excellence in patient experience.
• McHattie’s commitment to patient-centered care has also helped Memorial earn a five-star rating for overall hospital quality, in addition to a five-star rating for patient experience of care by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) summary star ratings. The rating places the health system among the top 1.5% of hospitals nationwide.

Speaking on the nomination, Melanie Ziegler, Vice President of Community Engagement for Memorial Health, shares, “Over the past decade, our progress in patient experience has been extraordinary, and Ken’s leadership has been central to that journey. His passion for Memorial, his deep respect for our team members, and his unwavering dedication to the patients we serve set him apart. Known for his sharp eye for data and his ability to dig deep to uncover root causes, Ken combines analytical rigor with genuine empathy – a rare and invaluable combination. Day in, day out, Ken brings not only expertise but also energy, encouragement, and a sense of humor that elevates every interaction. Memorial is proud to nominate Ken for this statewide recognition.”