Joanne Wippert, a 33-year veteran of the health care industry still “calms patients”

Patient Services Representative named Day Kimball Healthcare Employee of the Month

Calming. Professional. Organized. Scrupulous attention to detail. Constant smile. Refreshing. Respectful. Effective communicator. All of these attributes – and others – were used by her colleagues to describe Joanne Wippert, Patient Services Representative, Day Kimball Medical Group – Family Medicine. Wippert was also named Day Kimball Healthcare’s April Employee of the Month by her co-workers.

“Amen,” said Anna Mansini, Certified Medical Assistant, during the Employee of the Month recognition event held on Tuesday, April 28 in the break room at Day Kimball Medical Group in Danielson. Wippert is the first Danielson office employee to be recognized as Employee of the Month.

Joining the celebration was Wippert’s mother, Rita Spear, who proudly shared, “My daughter takes after her father. She listens to people. She does everything by the book (to which the group audibly agreed). I love her very much.”

Present also was President & CEO Bob Smanik who commended Wippert for being an example of everything Day Kimball stands for reflecting, “these events allow us to pause and remember why we work in health care. It’s evident from what your colleagues say that you not only provide comfort and a consistent face to patients, you simultaneously address co-workers needs. That people-to-people connection is what Day Kimball is all about. It’s what Northeast Connecticut is all about.”

From top to bottom: Joanne Wippert and Bob Smanik; Day Kimball Medical Group - Family Medicine, Danielson practice team; Wippert's sister Janice Cacciapouti, Wippert and Wippert's mother Rita Spear; Spear and Wippert

“How would Jo do it?” is often how the team solves problems, stated Katey Lambert, Clinical Trainer for the medical group’s electronic medical record software.

David M. Wilterdink, MD, family practice, said, “on behalf of all the doctors in the practice and recognizing that working with physicians isn’t an easy thing to do (more chuckling from the group), Jo keeps us in line and offers guidance. She brings pride to the Danielson office and makes it a good place for patients to come. Patients feel better even before they see the doctor, because Jo’s approach is professional and calming. She plays a huge role in our patients being able to get great care.” 

“You have the passion we all need to have within Day Kimball,” said Donna Manni, Regional Manager Day Kimball Medical Group. “You’re a great person to talk to and to learn from.”

Wippert replied to all the comments with a humble, “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to come and recognize me today. I feel loved. Thank you very much.”

As Patient Service Representative Wippert is the “first face patients see” assisting with check-in and check-out paperwork, answering phones, scheduling appointments, assisting with communicating with physician team, and helping with health insurance information. Wippert has worked in the Danielson office since July of 2008, soon to celebrate her 7-year anniversary with the organization. She is a member of the DKH Wellness Committee.

She has worked in health care for 33 years having graduated from Quinebaug Valley Community College with an Associate Degree in Medical Secretarial Sciences. She is a high school graduate of Putnam Catholic Academy. Wippert was born in Danielson, grew up in Brooklyn, and now lives in Danielson with her husband Neil. In her spare time she enjoys doing crafts.