We recently interviewed our 2021 Washington Orthopaedic Center Employee Excellence (WOCEE) recipients. These employees are first nominated by fellow staff members and then chosen by the doctors on a monthly basis. Here’s what they had to say!

Rodell Sunga

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center?  Facilities Coordinator (Maintenance) and IT

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? I like the flexibility in my work schedule

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? My favorite memory is the completion of the new roof.

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? I love to spend time with my wife doing anything, even lounging around.

If you were an animal, what would you be? I think I would be a gorilla because they are gentle, but don’t rile them up.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? I would want to witness the moon landing. I was only a toddler when it happened.

Jodi Urich Sayad

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? ASC RN

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? My coworkers.

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? Winning the WOCEE award.

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Family bbq’s with my kids & grandkids, hanging out with my dogs, gardening and canning, hunting, and raising cows.

If you were an animal, what would you be? An Eagle or Golden Retriever

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? End of the Covid pandemic.

Liana Horton

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Surgery scheduling.

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Helping patients schedule a needed surgery to relieve pain.

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? Dr. Dujela’s office being TP’d.

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Gardening and tap dancing.

If you were an animal, what would you be? An eagle.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? The signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Deanna Harpel

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Schedule surgeries to be done at Providence Centralia Hospital. I also obtain authorizations and health clearances for surgeries.

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Interacting with patients and coworkers.

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? Back in the day when we had themed Christmas parties, all the doctors & staff would dress in their 70’s & 80’s clan clothes and dance.

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Hiking, gardening, camping, kayaking, and spending time with my family/

If you were an animal, what would you be? A dove.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? I would have loved to witness any miracles of Jesus. Such as walking on water, turning water to wine and healing the blind.

Josh Lipp

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Taking x-rays, performing MRI’s, backup maintenance and IT.

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Variety of duties and helping people on their path to recovery.

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? Burning popcorn so bad I destroyed a microwave.

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Hiking, camping, hanging out with friends and family.

If you were an animal, what would you be? A cat, I like naps.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? The moon landing.

Kelsie Morang

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? I work at the front desk as a medical receptionist. I check in / check out patients, answer incoming calls. hand enter and call on referrals and schedule appointments. Being a part of the reception staff means handling/scheduling nearly 200 plus patients a day. 

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? What I like the most about WOC is how we are just like one big family. No matter what, we all do everything we can to ensure that all employees are taken care of. 

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? My favorite memory would have to be the WOC Food Drive, I had so much fun competing against my fellow staff (in a friendly way of course.) 

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Outside of WOC, I like to work out and hike. I used to weigh about 210 pounds, I found my passion with fitness and lost about 85 pounds. Now I work out every day after work and hike with my family during the summer. 

If you were an animal, what would you be? If I were an animal, I would be an owl. Personality wise, I feel like we match up BUT, I am also extremely terrified of birds. 

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? If I could witness any historical event, I would want to witness the women’s rights movement.

Susie Macy

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? My job duties fluctuate between medical records and the surgery planning team with a few as needed reception duties. I obtain authorizations for DME, track down records and imaging for patients’ appointments daily.  I also put together the surgery scheduling packets for the surgery planning team. In my spare time , I help schedule patients on the phone if need be and I also take care of putting together the hospital consults and submit them to billing. When I am caught up with everything, I zeta fax for transcription or assist with any ASC duties that may need done.

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? I love that my job offers me so much versatility. I also love having a variety of things to do in a day, and the more hectic the better. I couldn’t work with a better team of people. Out of everything, my favorite thing here is the people.

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? My favorite memories would include the fundraiser we did to help Brandy get a handicapped van for Emree, and the Christmas family food and clothing drive we did a few years ago. I love organizing and bringing those types of projects together that help someone in the community.

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Outside of work, I love attending musicals in Seattle or Portland, traveling to the Oregon Coast, and singing karaoke. I also love having friends over for bbq’s.

If you were an animal, what would you be? I would have to say I would be a mamma BEAR!

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? Hard to choose historical events, because there are many I would have loved to have seen and been a part of, but out of all of them, probably seeing Martin Luther King give his “I HAVE A DREAM” speech.

Crystal Roberge

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? I am a Medical Assistant at the Olympia location where I also order supplies and DME.

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Working at a place that feels like a second home, and of course, helping my patients.

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? Receiving employee of the month. I was so surprised and generally grateful that all my hard work has paid off. 

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Outside of work I love to cook, enjoy being outdoors, and spending time with my family.

If you were an animal, what would you be? I would have to be a bear; I find myself as a protective person especially for the people I love. 

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? If I could witness any historic event, I would like to be witness the woman rights movement, I think this was a turning point of history for woman, we still have a way to go but at least woman spoke up for the rights of woman to better the future for future generations. 

Jennifer Brown

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center?  I am a CMA primarily fulfilling duties as Dr. Dujela’s Primary assistant. I also help out wherever needed when he is out of the office. 

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? I truly love my coworkers and being able to help people every day. 

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? I have had so many laughs and memories so far at WOC. One of my absolute favorites has been watching Dr. Dujela and Dr. Houng in surgery for a day. It’s truly amazing seeing the full circle of helping our patients. From when they come in, to surgery and then recovery. I feel blessed to enjoy where I work.  

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Outside of work I am big on family. We love to go to the beach and spend time together. I also enjoy going fishing on the boat. My girls are active in sports, so we are constantly busy. I also love coaching my daughter’s softball team and I have a passion for reading and enjoy crafting. 

If you were an animal, what would you be? I would be a Dolphin or an Elephant. No real reason for either one, I just love them both. 

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? Honestly this question was difficult for me. I am not big on historical events. However, I think it would have been amazing to be around and witness firsthand when women were granted the right to vote. 

Karen Collins

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Patient Services and Reception at WOC Olympia

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Everything. I love my job.

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? The WOC Christmas Party at Great Wolf Lodge.

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? I enjoy card making, crocheting, trips with my hubby, and anything to do with my grandkids.

If you were an animal, what would you be? A wolf.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? The World’s Fair in Seattle when they built the space needle.

Susan Taber

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center?  Billing daily charges and auditing of notes for accurate coding, appealing insurance denials, follow-up, surgery coding, and payment entries. 

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? The Doctors and coworkers have become my work family.  A great team to work with and, overall, loving what I do. Plus, the flexibility and benefits.

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? Dr. Sherfey’s Halloween staff meeting.  

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Bike riding (STP, Reach the Beach and other century rides) and being with my fur babies.

If you were an animal, what would you be? A bird, so I could soar with the wind.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? ​The fall of the Berlin Wall and the parting of the Red Sea.

Brandy Epling

What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? Clinical Support Supervisor 

What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? That it is not only a great place to work, but we are a family. 

What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? One memory that comes to mind  is Dr Slattery dressed up at our 80’s themed Christmas party as Maverick (Top Gun) and Dondi dancing. 

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? Camping, boating, riding quads and being with family and friends. 

If you were an animal, what would you be? Sloth. What a life it would be and because they are cute. 

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? Dr Martin Luther King Jr. I Have a Dream speech at the March on Washington.