Garfield County Hospital District is proud to announce Employee of the Month for February, Avery Medlock, who was nominated by her co-workers for being a valued employee and a dedicated worker.

Avery is originally from Phoenix, Arizona where she lived for most of her grade school and high school years. At age 16, she and her family moved to Clarksville, Tex., Avery relocated to Garfield County to be near family in the summer of 2017 and graduated from Pomeroy Jr/Sr High School in 2018.

One of Avery's first job experience while still in school, was working for a local furniture store delivering and assembling furniture to customers. Throughout her teens, she developed an interest in the field of technology including software application and game development.

During her senior year in high school, Avery's keen interest in computers prompted her to apply for a 6-month internship with Garfield County Hospital District in the Information Technology (IT) Department. In this position she learned valuable knowledge about computer technology. "I was really happy to work here because I got to learn about servers and resetting people's passwords and I really enjoy doing that kind of stuff."

Physics is a passion of Avery's and her achievements in school are very impressive. As a sophomore, she was taking a junior-level US History course and scored the second highest in the Texas State exam. The following year she was given an academic award as a junior for the "Overall Highest GPA in Physics" for the year. Avery expressed a desire to one day further her education in IT and earn a degree in this ever-changing industry and firmly believes, "computers are the future."

After graduation, Avery began working part time at Pomeroy Foods as a food cashier and performed other duties stocking weekly items and unloading deliveries when they arrived. Her natural ability to make people feel special shone through as she greeted customers with a warm and friendly welcome.

In June of 2021, Avery applied for a full-time position in the Dietary Department as a dishwasher. Her willingness to help others in whatever capacity needed is one of her greatest qualities and does not go unnoticed. Her peers have said she "always smiles and greets patients and is very helpful to staff." On Monday mornings, Avery enjoys cooking breakfast for the patients in the Day Room, creating a home-like atmosphere, which is one of her favorite things to do.

Nursing staff speak highly of Avery stating she has "great interaction with the patients. Always trying to make sure they have what they need." Her warm and caring personality is a welcome presence among staff and visitors. "Avery is always friendly and helpful, and she takes time with the patients." When asked what she likes best about her job, she enthusiastically replied, "interaction with the patients." She thoroughly enjoys listening to their life stories, engaging in conversations with them and brightening up their day.

In her spare time, she enjoys skateboarding and dabbles in computer coding and game development. She has a love for space, planets and the constellations, and has plans to one day tour the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California.