February 2026 WOW Award Winner

The WOW Patient Experience Initiative recognizes team members who engage with patients/families, visitors and employees in exceptional ways, providing a superior level of commitment and reflecting the values of Wood County Hospital. Jody S., OB Unit Secretary and Passenger Safety Technician, was selected as the February WOW award winner for going above and beyond.

Before being discharged from the hospital, Jody was performing a car seat safety check for a new mom when she discovered that the family’s recently purchased car seat was a counterfeit.

The parents were unaware and were relieved that Jody spotted the fake seat before they took their newborn home. She explained that counterfeit car seats are sometimes sold online through third-party vendors and often fail to meet the U.S. safety standards because they are not crash-test rated.

Thanks to Jody’s help, the family was able to obtain a safe, approved car seat through the Ohio Buckeye Buckles Program, ensuring their baby could travel home with them securely.

Jody is from Custar, Ohio, and a graduate of Otsego High School. She earned her Associate Degree in Medical Assisting from Davis College in 2002.

Jody has been part of the Wood County Hospital for 27 years. Before joining the OB Department, she worked as a School Aid for two years in several departments, including ER, Surgery and Ready Works. She then went on to work as a Secretary in Acute Care for 14 years.

Her time in the School Aid Program at Wood County Hospital, when she was a junior in high school, is what helped her discover the career path she wanted to follow.

When it comes to spreading positivity, Jody shared that she is always ready to help someone, no matter what.

“It could make their day easier and brighter,” she said.

Outside of work, Jody enjoys crafting, quilting and knitting. A fun fact about her is that she lives on a farm and has served as an EMT for two years.

Thank you, Jody, for your attentiveness, compassion and commitment to keeping our youngest patients safe.