The Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility announces its Outstanding Employees of the Second Quarter for 2022: Uniformed Employee of the Quarter, Ryan Huntington, Corrections Officer I; Non-Uniformed Employee, Penny Riedel, Program Consultant I; and Contract Employee, Linda Stanley, BHP.
Huntington began his career with LCMHF in 2019, as a Corrections Officer I.
His nomination reads, “Mr. Huntington comes to work with a good attitude and ready for work. Huntington’s social skills are very good with the residents and the staff. He knows how to present himself in every situation. Mr. Huntington is very helpful and goes above and beyond. He is willing to help the new COI’s from the start and give good advice. Mr. Huntington is cordial and has a good way of navigating with residents, controlling situations.”
Huntington exemplifies the word teamwork and LCMHF is very fortunate to have a staff member that works as hard as he does.
Riedel began her career with LCMHF in 2016 as a Program Consultant I. Previously she was employed at Larned State Hospital since 1985.
Her nomination reads, “Penny strives every day to make this facility a better place. Whether it is trying to get through to our residents in a class or trying to make everyone feel like they are appreciated through wellness events. She continuously tries to be positive and pro-active through her work. Working with residents daily is a huge kudos in itself, but if you have ever worked with them in a classroom atmosphere you know they constantly feed off each other and sometimes its not positive. However, Penny has a way about her that she can wrangle these grown men into coming to an agreement about things, looking at things in a different way and be okay with that because everyone is different. She can also put them in their place better than anyone I have ever seen interact with a belligerent resident. Penny spends quite a bit of brainstorming and coming up with different ways to show our employees here at the facility that they are appreciated. Being the head of the Wellness Committee is not an easy task. As COVID took place, our Wellness committee had to come up with different ways of having events at our facility. Penny took everything in stride and continued to lead us as though nothing had happened. Without her leadership, I’m not sure where we would be, wellness wise or resident wise.”
Riedel is an asset to both LCMHF and the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Linda Stanley began working with LCMHF’s health care provider in 2000 to 2003; returning to employment in 2013 to present as a Behavior Health Professional.
Her nomination reads, “Linda comes to work every day ready to take on the mental health needs of both Central and South. Because of her organizational skills, she keeps track of all the monthly MH appointments and follow ups. She is a great addition to our department.”
Stanley is a great asset to Centurion and also LCMHF.
