At a recent ceremony, TUH-Episcopal Campus’ Crisis Response Center (CRC) celebrated its Exceptional Employees of 2025: those who embody organizational values of service excellence, are mentors and leaders, and go above and beyond to deliver the highest quality patient care.
“These individuals have been our standout performers over the last year,” says Marcus Appolon, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, the CRC’s Nurse Manager. “The diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and strengths within our team allows us to provide exceptional care. I am truly grateful for each one of these team members, and proud of the work we continue to accomplish together.”
Cody Brown, Crisis Response Tech, Day Shift
Cody, who recently celebrated his 20th year with Temple Health, is known as “the advocate” in the CRC. “Whether he’s speaking up for himself, his peers, or our patients, he never hesitates to share ideas for enhancing care,” Appolon explains. “This is deeply appreciated because, if someone is less confident in voicing their opinion, they know Cody will serve as their advocate.”
“Cody is extremely knowledgeable and serves as one of our primary trainers for new employees,” Appolon continues. “He is currently completing his master’s degree, further demonstrating his commitment to professional growth and excellence. We are proud to recognize his dedication and continued contributions to our team.”
Amirh Lewis, Crisis Response Tech, Evening Shift
“Amirh is soft-spoken yet incredibly effective, with a remarkable ability to connect with patients and meet them where they are,” says Appolon. To do so, she draws on her 25 years of experience as a school counselor with the Philadelphia School District.
“Amirh’s attention to detail has also been extremely beneficial to the care we deliver,” Appolon explains. “She consistently brings compassion, insight, and professionalism to every shift, strengthening both our team and the patient experience.”
Michael Lewis, Crisis Response Tech, Night Shift
Appolon praises Michael as “the ultimate chameleon.” “His ability to adapt to any environment is unmatched,” he says. “Whether working in the CRC or assisting on another unit, he maintains a positive attitude and always prioritizes patient-centered care—with a smile.”
Like Amirh, Michael’s work experience outside of Episcopal fuels his excellence in the CRC. “During the day, Mike works with the Fire Department’s Alternative Response Unit 3, assisting with crisis intervention throughout the city,” Appolon explains. “His unique skill set has been widely recognized by his peers, and he does an exceptional job de-escalating patients in crisis. His calm presence and clinical instincts make him an invaluable member of our team.”
Daniela Valentine, Secretary, Day Shift
If Michael is the chameleon, then Daniela is the “spinal cord” of the CRC. “She keeps all of us aligned and functioning effectively,” Appolon says. “Beyond her strong organizational skills, Daniela has also built meaningful and genuine connections with staff across all disciplines and shifts. She is approachable, supportive, and always willing to assist, which fosters a positive and collaborative work environment. Staff feel comfortable coming to her with questions, concerns, and for guidance because they know she will listen and help find solutions.”
Daniela was also instrumental in the team’s transition to the new CRC, which is now triple the size of the previous space. “She spearheaded ongoing unit adjustments to ensure we continued delivering the highest level of care to our patients during times of change,” Appolon continues. “I could write a book filled with her accolades, but it might not have enough space to capture them all. Her strong relationships with staff, dependability, organization, and dedication are foundational to the CRC’s success.”