BANGOR – Registered nurse Stephanie Schmermund, who works in the surgical-orthopedic unit at St. Joseph Hospital, was named Maine Caregiver of the Year by the Maine Hospital Association. Schmermund has been an employee of St. Joseph Healthcare since 1991. She earned a nursing degree at Husson College in Bangor.

Maine Hospital Association presents the award to one caregiver from an MHA member institution in Maine for providing extraordinary care and compassion to patients and their families. Nominations are made by hospital chief executive officers around the state. The recipient is selected by an MHA board.

According to the nomination form submitted by Sister Mary Norberta, president and chief executive officer of St. Joseph Healthcare, “Stephanie exemplifies extraordinary commitment to the patients and their family members through her selflessness and intense focus. Stephanie’s life mission is innately linked to caring for others – she is a nurse to the core of her being.”

Employees and volunteers of St. Joseph Healthcare gathered June 30 in the hospital cafeteria to help Schmermund celebrate receiving the award.