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UNC Health Rockingham is proud to announce that Veronica “Faye” Martin has been recognized with the prestigious BEE Award, honoring her exceptional dedication, compassion and longstanding commitment to Carolina Care.
Martin received the award during a surprise gathering attended by her coworkers, food service leaders and senior administrators. She became emotional as she realized the ceremony was in her honor.
Martin was nominated twice for the award—each nomination highlighting her extraordinary actions and unwavering commitment to patients, colleagues, and the values of UNC Health.
Her double nominations came from colleagues across multiple departments within the hospital. One nomination praised Martin’s “remarkable initiative” during a week‑long celebration that had depleted many of the available meal options for night‑shift staff. After the kitchen had closed, Martin prepared fresh meals and personally delivered them to every department ensuring no team member went without. The nomination described her actions as “a true example of what Carolina Care looks like in action.”
The second nomination highlighted Martin’s unwavering compassion for patients. She is known for greeting everyone her caring smile and for taking the time to step into patients’ rooms to make sure they have everything they need. Colleagues wrote that her commitment to service “has never wavered” throughout her extraordinary fifty‑year career at UNC Health Rockingham.
When asked what this award means to her, Martin said, “Receiving the BEE award means so much to me. I love my patients, and I love being part of this team. We’re all worker bees, and I share this recognition with every one of my teammates. Nothing I do, I do alone.”
Following the ceremony, UNC Health Rockingham President, Jeffery Strickler, congratulated her on the award and praised Martin for her remarkable achievements and her half-century of dedicated service. He noted that she is the longest-tenured UNC Health teammate that he has had the pleasure of meeting and shared how much appreciated her commitment to her team and to her patients.
The BEE award is presented throughout the year to honor the extraordinary care provided by non-nursing support staff that go above and beyond to make an impact outside their daily duties. The support of other care providers is the foundation upon which a patient’s healthcare team can maintain phenomenal care and advocacy. Just as the Daisy cannot survive without the Bee, the nurses cannot survive without the outstanding teamwork provided by other healthcare professionals.
To nominate a supporting team member for The Bee Award at UNC Health Rockingham, visit www.uncrockingham.org/thank-a-caregiver.
Photo Caption: 1) Veronica “Faye” Martin received the “Circle of Friends” statue as part of her BEE Award for her extraordinary service to UNC Health Rockingham.
