November 2011

Amanda Graham
Secretary
Behavioral Health Services

Congratulations to Amanda Graham, Secretary for Behavioral Health Services, on being named the recipient of the MDH APPLE Award for November 2011. APPLE stands for "Achieving outstanding Performance in Patient care, Leadership, Loyalty and Enthusiasm for MDH."

Amanda earned an Associate of Arts degree from Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois and a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois. Amanda began working at MDH as a secretary in Behavioral Health Services on November 2, 2009.

Amanda is very supportive of co-workers. Amanda is extremely efficient and offers ideas to improve processes in the department. She repeatedly helps with staffing needs and assists with any last-minute needs for coverage in the department. She is very professional and intelligent.

Amanda uses excellent judgment in all situations. Amanda is honest and straight forward in her interactions. She remains very calm in intense situations and never gets rattled. She is courteous, polite, and respectful. She is a positive person with a cheerful disposition.

Amanda is described as a person with a pleasant personality who is warm and friendly. A nominator states “Amanda actively searches out ways that she can help us [co-workers] be more effective in our jobs. She always has ideas that she is willing to share to make our [BHS] services run more smoothly for our patients.”

BHS patients respond very positively to Amanda. Even when faced with an uncomfortable situation, Amanda remains pleasant and determines a way to help the patient. Another nominator describes the department as lucky to have her as part of the team.

Amanda is married to Nigel. They enjoy their dog, Bingo, and cat, Elwood. In her spare time, Amanda loves to read and bake. She has also recently started taking a class to learn to knit.