The American Society of Employers (ASE) has selected Barbara A. Palmer, Botsford Health Care corporate vice president of Human Resources and Employee Services, as an ASE Michigan Human Resource Executive of the Year for Health and Human Services organization with more than 500 employees. Palmer, a resident of Southfield, Mich., celebrated her fifteenth anniversary with Botsford this year.

“I am so grateful to receive this award, especially since I know many HR executives who are equally deserving,” says Palmer. “However, I am even more grateful for the opportunity to work in a field that is an essential and effective partner in developing and executing organizational strategy. Throughout my career, I have worked to be a voice for the workforce and have considered it an honor to help advance my chosen profession and mentor those interested in the HR profession.”

At Botsford, Palmer holds full strategic, policy and quality management responsibility for all system-wide human resources programs and practices. Her span of responsibilities also includes executive leadership for a comprehensive employee concierge service, retail management of several gift shops, child care center, ecumenical guidance through the spiritual care program, hospitality and customer service through volunteer services, and occupational health to promote employee health, wellness and safety.

“Time and again, Barb has proven herself to be invaluable for her breadth of HR knowledge, leadership and ability to get results on large, important projects,” says Paul E. LaCasse, D.O., MPH, Botsford Health Care president and CEO. “Recently, Barb has worked tirelessly for many months to support our affiliation with Beaumont Health System and Oakwood Healthcare, which led in September to our successfully joining the new Beaumont Health, one of the largest health systems in Michigan. She is just so deserving of this award.”

Palmer holds a master’s degree in health care and general management from Central Michigan University. She has served as a part-time instructor in schools of management at local colleges in metropolitan Detroit.

With an extensive background in human resources, Palmer has been instrumental in the development and implementation of sound and effective policies and programs to support business objectives and future growth potential. As a result of her work, she has won, and assisted health care organizations in receiving national and local awards to include the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration Communication Award, the Michigan Business and Professional Association’s 101 Best Workplaces Award and The Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces Award.

Palmer served as president of the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, a national organization with a membership of more than 3,000 representing 5,000 health care organizations throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. She also has served on boards and advisory committees for the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce, the American Society of Employers Education Foundation and the Healthcare Roundtable for Human Resource Executives.

Source: http://michronicleonline.com