Volume 11, Issue 26
December
19,
2003
In This Corner by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.
You have probably heard of the "secret shopper" programs that check up on customer service in some retail concerns? These individuals go into a store and make a purchase. They then report back to the management on how the employees treated them as shoppers.
Well, most of you are aware that I was a "not too secret" patient in the facility for a few days. Mary and I would like to thank everyone who was involved in my treatment. Dr. Krishna Chand was the surgeon on call and he and the OR crew did a fine job. I also would like to say thank you to Chris Patacini, Karen Tavry, Janet Gonzalez (on night shift) and all the other staff on Med/Surg who reminded me who was boss for a few days.
It is a very challenging experience to most folks to be stuck in bed for a few days. I was fortunate that my issue was relatively minor surgery. Many of our patients are here with very difficult issues. What I noticed as a patient is this - little things can become very important when your world is reduced to all you can see in one small room. I thought the delivery of care was very good. I was also grateful when maintenance responded to fix a broken light, housekeeping cared for my room, the lab. folks poked and prodded and food service worked with the medical staff to get me some food. Now I would like to do what I can to see if we can get some other creature comforts addressed - like more choice for our patients on the television system.
These things mattered to me and believe me I have come to understand just how critical those "little things" can be as we strive to give excellent patient care.
This is my last chance to write prior to Christmas and New Year's. If I haven't had a chance to see you in person, I would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. I also encourage you to have a safe and happy New Year's celebration. In your pay stub envelope this week you will receive a Christmas gift due to the generosity of our board. I hope you are able to use it to do bring a little extra Christmas cheer to your home.
Santa Visits Hospital Kids...a HO HO HO good time!
Click on any of the photos above to see a larger image. It may take a minute or more to load, depending upon the speed of your internet connection. Many letters of thanks have been received for Santa (samples below) , and the Human Resources Department and Employee Activity Committee for hosting Santa's early Christmas visit December 14th at the hospital.
The Christmas party for the employees children was very nice. I just want to thank Lisa,,Ed( Mr. Santa Claus) and to all the elves! Everyone did a great job in organizing the party. My daughter's had a good time, even though my baby Maysi was afraid of Santa. Everybody there was very friendly and the toys were awesome! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to plan such special events for our families. Great work guys!
Araceli Trujillo
I just wanted to say thanks to the Employee Activity Committee for the Christmas Party held December 14. My sons loved their gifts and meeting Santa was not too scary for Jace. We had a lot of fun.
Josie Perez
Of course Santa has an New England accent! He was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine & moved to Boston for his education majoring in flight paths in adverse weather. And he did a double masters: one on animal husbandry & one on woodworking. What else do you want to know?
Sheila Robinson
Gretchen
Mallery Selected First Employee of the Quarter
At the Christmas Dinner last week Gretchen Mallery, from the Emergency Department, was selected for honor's as the first Outstanding Employee of the Quarter. This is a new program launched this fall by Human Resources and the Employee Activity Committee. Monica Saenz, above right, represented the Employee Committee in making the presentation. (Click on photo for larger image.)
Monica also asked that we recognize the others who were nominated: Jan Epps,
Med Surg, Mike Poteet, Food Service, Yolle Widdow, Admitting, Char Tong, UR, and
Marty Zyph, Admitting.
Gretchen sent the following letter for publication today:
I want to say thank you to everyone involved in the Employee Recognition program. On the day I received the award I was speechless and very honored. I work with many exceptional people who do beyond what is in their job title every day. They work very hard because they care about the people that come to us and they are happy to have the opportunity to help.
Every day I see how hard people work and they are not even aware that others appreciate that kindness. I think our hospital runs so well because of the teamwork. No one person can make the Emergency Department or the hospital run smoothly. The care I see in admitting, nursing and respiratory care, along with housekeeping, maintenance, food services is outstanding. Many people make each of us want to try a little harder to make the patients that come here feel welcome and cared for.
I would like to say thank you to Jon Smiley, Linda Garner and Lisa Gray for taking the time to be part of this event, and say thank you to everyone else who was involved.
I especially want to acknowledge all the great people in the Emergency Department who I see as role models every day. You all have a wealth of knowledge. Working with you has been a privilege and I have learned a lot - and hope to learn much more.
If you see what I have done to take care of patients, you should all know it is because the people I work with genuinely care, and always try to treat others like they would like to be treated. They continue to work hard and give 100% which I truly value and hope to continue to emulate.
Thank you very much.
Nurse Leadership Cooks Up
for Christmas!
Nancy Hultberg, left, and Sheila Robinson were part of the nurse leadership team that joined together to create a special Christmas goody for nurses at the hospital. Here's a hint - it involves chocolate and caffeine.
Nursing Notes
submitted by Linda Garner
Something on the spirit of Christmas with all of the departments (I believe
20) adopting a family for Christmas. The true spirit is shown by all these individuals in the departments contributing to needy families and bringing
joy to them for the holidays.
Bethelle Wong
Abringe, our Filipino nurse, after many problems with the
paperwork from CGFNS has received permission to take her NCLEX for becoming an RN in the state of
Washington. Please wish her success.
A special thank you at this time of the year from the Nursing Leadership team and myself to all the nursing staff for their dedication and caring of the patients we serve.
Thanks to Jean Clary and the Food Service staff for the Christmas dinner and evening food for the night and evening staff. Once again a great meal.
Educational Opportunities at SCH in the
weeks ahead include the following: (Education nursing notes submitted by Gabriella
Barker .)
January 8- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. "Update - Type-2 Diabetes Management", Dr. Bruce Wilson, includes lunch sponsored by Aventis Pharmaceutical. RSVP by January 6.
December 18- "RSV - Controversy in Management and New Guidelines", Featuring Dr. Gary Goodman was presented in the classroom by SCH and YVMH. Dr. Goodman is pictured below with Education Coordinator Gabriella Barker. Thanks to all who attended this medical inservice program. (Click on photo for larger image.)
Leo Thompson/Walmart
Recognized 
Leo Thompson has given nearly 9,000 hours of volunteer time working at Sunnyside Community Hospital. Now, employed fulltime at the Sunnyside Walmart, Leo continues to volunteer at the hospital as his schedule allows.
Walmart encourages employees to volunteer. And last week the store donated $100 to the Hospital Foundation on behalf of Leo to thank him for representing Walmart in the community.
It is one of those win-win-win situations. Thank you Leo and thank you Sunnyside Walmart. (Click on image to see more of Leo at work.)
Thank you note
During my recent hospital stay following surgery, I had the opportunity to see for myself what a first class facility we have. Our local hospital has excellent physicians and a caring and very competent nursing staff. Every employee from the kitchen, housekeeping, lab and nursing (and a very good surgeon) made my stay a pleasant one (under the circumstances). Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my physical therapist who is playing an important part in my recuperation.
Thank you all for being there.
Terry Babcock