Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Names 2025 Employee of the Year
Durham Resident Tina Ufferfilge, BSN, RN, CRRN, Selected for Top Honor
WALLINGFORD, CONN., July 18, 2025 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare system headquartered in Wallingford, proudly announces that Nurse Manager Tina Ufferfilge has been named the 2025 Joseph A. Lindenmayer Employee of the Year.
A member of the Gaylord family since 1997, Ufferfilge is widely known across the hospital for her compassionate care, hands-on leadership, and deep commitment to both patients and staff. Her peers say that she has earned a reputation as someone who “not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.”
“There isn’t a person in this hospital who doesn’t know Tina Ufferfilge,” shared one of the two co-workers who nominated Tina for the award.
“She embodies everything Gaylord stands for: compassion, integrity, accountability, and excellence.”
Known for being approachable and empathetic, Ufferfilge frequently checks in on her team, listens without judgment, and leads with humor and heart. She often stays late, comes in on off-shifts, and rolls up her sleeves to help when needed.
“She makes you feel better just by talking with her,” her nominator said. “She’s our ray of sunshine, even on the cloudiest days.”
Tina’s commitment to her patients goes far beyond the expected. When a patient needed to attend a court hearing and had no suitable attire, Tina quietly went out and purchased him dress clothes. She’s also known to spend hours de-escalating complex situations with empathy and care, allowing her staff members to focus on their duties.
Her compassion extends to her colleagues, too. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tina donated two weeks of her own paid time off to a coworker so she could remain home longer with her daughter. She has guided her team through staffing transitions, skill-building, and tough days, all while continuing to provide the “Gaylord Way” of care that patients and families have come to expect.
“Tina is the definition of excellence,” said another nominator. “She was born to be a nurse. She’s the same kind, humble person she was on her first day here and every day since. This world would be a better place if everyone were a little more like Tina.”
“She embodies everything Gaylord stands for: compassion, integrity, accountability, and excellence.”
Known for being approachable and empathetic, Ufferfilge frequently checks in on her team, listens without judgment, and leads with humor and heart. She often stays late, comes in on off-shifts, and rolls up her sleeves to help when needed.
“She makes you feel better just by talking with her,” her nominator said. “She’s our ray of sunshine, even on the cloudiest days.”
Tina’s commitment to her patients goes far beyond the expected. When a patient needed to attend a court hearing and had no suitable attire, Tina quietly went out and purchased him dress clothes. She’s also known to spend hours de-escalating complex situations with empathy and care, allowing her staff members to focus on their duties.
Her compassion extends to her colleagues, too. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tina donated two weeks of her own paid time off to a coworker so she could remain home longer with her daughter. She has guided her team through staffing transitions, skill-building, and tough days, all while continuing to provide the “Gaylord Way” of care that patients and families have come to expect.
“Tina is the definition of excellence,” said another nominator. “She was born to be a nurse. She’s the same kind, humble person she was on her first day here and every day since. This world would be a better place if everyone were a little more like Tina.”
Ufferfilge’s supervisor, Lisa Kalafus, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer, agreed, saying, “Tina has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism, compassion, and integrity. Her leadership is rooted in kindness and humility. She is someone everyone trusts, not just because of her clinical knowledge, but because of her heart. Tina leads with empathy, shows up when it matters most, and never seeks credit. She truly represents the very best of Gaylord.”
“I am incredibly honored to receive this award, especially with all of the amazing nominees,” said Ufferfilge. “Working alongside these dedicated and compassionate individuals truly inspires me every day. This is what Gaylord is about, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I am blessed.”
The Joseph A. Lindenmayer Employee of the Year Award was established in 1992 by the grateful family of a former Gaylord patient. According to his daughter, Josephine L. Gierer, the award was created to honor the care and kindness her father received during his rehabilitation. Ufferfilge is the 34th recipient of this prestigious recognition.
About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Gaylord's Milne Institute for Healthcare Innovation is a hub for accelerating world-class rehabilitative research, technology development and innovation to improve the quality of life and function of people around the world. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehabilitative care driven by clinical experience, innovation and human compassion.
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Joy Savulak
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, Public Relations
203-586-9417 | jsavulak@gaylord.org