HONESDALE, PA — “I always think of my patients as family,” said Karen Riefler, a nurse aide at Wayne Memorial Hospital who was crowned the employee of the year (EOY), 2018, at the hospital’s annual holiday party in December.

Riefler has worked at the hospital for 42 years, and was employee of the month in October. Nearly all of her coworkers in the progressive care unit nominated Riefler, calling her “an employee everyone can learn something from... hardworking, punctual and a true team member.” Riefler received a plaque, a permanent position on the hospital’s EOY wall-of-honor near the cafeteria and a monetary gift.

Riefler graduated from the now-defunct Damascus High School and has been married to Raymond Riefler for 39 years.