02/14/2026
Please Join Us in Celebrating Bill Karlik, Diagnostic Imaging our 2025 Lighting the Way Legend!
Each year, Harbor Regional Health recognizes the person who most inspires the rest of us. From the Beacon Award winners who have gone above and beyond in their service to our patients and the organization, we select one individual to receive the Lighting the Way Legend award.
CEO Tom Jensen captures the significance of this selection perfectly: “The Lighting the Way Legend represents the highest level of recognition at Harbor Regional Health. It honors individuals whose character, leadership, and commitment shape our culture and set the standard for how we care for one another and for our patients. Bill Karlik is a powerful example of what this honor represents.”
Bill’s journey at Harbor Regional Health began in 2006, following a courageous mid-career transition in his 40s. Since then, he has become what his Director, Michael Puttkammer, describes as "the pillar of our department family." Whether he is serving as a dedicated "O.R. Warrior" during complex surgical cases or stepping in to resolve late-night staffing emergencies, Bill operates with a calm, patient-focused approach that has earned the absolute trust of his colleagues and leadership alike.
His supervisor, Paige Mellon-Jackson, shared a heartfelt reflection on the man behind the work, noting:
"Bill is the very definition of dependable. He somehow brings both competence and calm into the room, usually with a tan, a big smile, and a coffee cup permanently in hand. Whether it’s lifting a patient or covering a weekend shift, Bill is already stepping up before you even finish asking. He’s a wonderful Lead Tech who leads by example, and we all benefit from his presence more than we probably say out loud."
No matter the pressures, Bill has remained the "calm rock" who never wavers. At the heart of our organization is our mission to Heal, Comfort, and Serve Everyone with Dignity and Compassion. Bill does not just follow this mission; he lives it. From his phenomenal bedside manner to his willingness to work extra shifts to ensure our patients remain cared for, Bill represents the very best of who we are.
His team’s flood of Beacon Award nominations was driven by a deeper sentiment: the desire to see a man who has given so much to this hospital recognized for his immense impact before he moves toward a well-deserved retirement.
As we celebrate Bill’s legacy, we also want to express our profound respect for the 2025 nominees who stood alongside him. Each of these professionals has found their own way to lead and inspire throughout the year. We are a stronger organization because of their dedication. To be a Beacon Award winner is a significant achievement in its own right, so let continue honoring their achievements:
• Stephanie Lakner, RN (Surgical Services)
• Jane Eaton (Nuclear Medicine)
• Courtney Nelson (Nutrition)
• Ashley Black, RN (Med/Surg)
• Molly McMillan (Volunteer Services)
• Faith Matthews, RN (Med/Surg)
• Vicky Lewis, NA-C (Med/Surg)
• Joanie Sampson, RN (Med/Surg)
Please join us in congratulating Bill on this well-deserved recognition and thanking him for the many ways he continues to light the way for our patients, our teams, and our organization. Congratulations on this Legend!
