Local hospital says goodbye to Kathy Warnell, a five-year team member who made an impact on food services.
Known for transforming the way hospital food is perceived in rural hospitals across the state, Faith Community Health System’s (FCHS) Executive Chef Kathy Warnell will soon be retiring. For the past five years, Warnell is attributed to the success of the hospital’s food services department.
“Kathy has had an immeasurable impact on how our food services department has evolved over the past five years,” says Frank L. Beaman, CEO of FCHS. “From evolving the meals that we prepare for our patients to developing an incredible menu and level of standards for Faith Café patrons, Kathy has indeed made a positive impact on food services at Faith Community Hospital.”
As executive chef for FCHS, Warnell’s duties included food preparation, menu and recipe development, food purchase specifications, department budget management, and oversight of department staff members. As a certified dietary manager from the Association of Nutrition and Food Service Professionals, Kathy also continued her education in the field by becoming a certified food protection professional in 2018.
Not only serving patients and staff at the hospital, the food services department also operates Faith Café, a restaurant open to the public known for serving delicious meals at affordable prices. The department also operates a catering service for the public. Both lines of business have added a positive impact on the hospital’s bottom line.
In addition to fulfilling her role and duties at the hospital, Warnell was also known for her involvement in the community. She held cooking classes for high school students, a program that taught basic cooking skills and the essentials of preparing healthy meals. Also, she actively participated in fundraisers for Concerned Citizens of Jacksboro, a nonprofit organization geared to serving the needs of the elderly and disabled in Jack County.
In 2017, the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce awarded Warnell with the coveted Customer Service Award for her ability to connect with patients and customers at Faith Community Hospital, as well as for her local involvement.
In 2017, the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce awarded Warnell with the coveted Customer Service Award for her ability to connect with patients and customers at Faith Community Hospital, as well as for her local involvement.
“My time here at Faith Community Hospital has been amazing, and I am thankful for the many opportunities that I been afforded over the last five years,” Warnell says. “I’m just one person, though. I could not have accomplished many of the things that I have without the wonderful support of my team in the food services department and the encouragement of hospital leadership. I am honored to have served my community, and I will continue to do so as long as I can – even into retirement.”
FCHS is sad to see Kathy retire, but excited for the next chapter. Please join us in congratulating Kathy Warnell on her success at FCHS.
