GREENFIELD, NH — Crotched Mountain has recently recognized 86 employees for their years of service to its rehabilitation center, including two remarkable individuals who are celebrating their 40th anniversary; FRAN KENDALL of Greenfield and MARY FRANCES LAWLER, R.N. of Sharon, NH.

FRAN KENDALL began her career at Crotched Mountain as a staff librarian. After working for a brief period in the development office, she undertook the ambitious task of centralizing the medical records office back in the mid 1970s. "Up until that point," she explains, "medical records were kept in various locations. It took a great deal of effort to gather files before I could organize them." She is currently involved in an equally ambitious task – working with the information technology staff to convert the records into a digital imaging storage and retrieval system. Kendall earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she majored in business education. She holds certifications in both teaching and records management, and is a member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Additionally, she has served as the Greenfield town clerk for more than 20 years.

MARY FRANCES LAWLER, R.N. first came to Crotched Mountain as a private duty nurse in 1965. A week later, she was asked to work full-time and has been here ever since. Throughout her career, she has worked in every nursing unit of the rehabilitation center and has been responsible for employee health and infection control. As a health educator she has enabled hundreds of students to become certified nursing assistants (CNAs). She earned her bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's College in Standish, ME and her R.N. from Labouré College in Dorchester, MA. In addition to being a registered nurse, she is certified in the field rehabilitation nursing and holds a nursing home administrators license. Four generations of her family (including her mother, three children, and one granddaughter) have worked at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center at one time or another. "Crotched Mountain has always been a special place to me," she states. "More times than I can count, I've seen how employees here rally to help each other out, particularly when someone is in need. People are truly caring."

"We congratulate each of these employees for their dedication to the people we serve, day in and day out," remarks president Donald L. Shumway. "They are indeed unsung heroes."

Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization employing nearly 800 people. Its mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 consumers, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, living in New England and New York. For more information about Crotched Mountain please visit their web site: www.crotchedmountain.org.

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