Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About… How About Love?

These days we know that there’s a lot going on in Washington as our lawmakers and the executive branch of government approach our country’s issues. Everywhere you go, people are talking about this. I often turn to music when I am trying to make sense of things. Last week, my wife, Tracey, and I had the good fortune of hearing a concert by John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett. Mr. Hiatt is not very well known as a singer, but he’s written many excellent songs that others have made famous. Bonnie Raitt had a hit, with his song, Something to Talk About. The line in the song “Let’s give them something to talk about - how about love?” is ringing true to me especially now. We need less talk about borders, barriers, blockages, fear and hatred and more about love and kindness.

Just stop and think about all of the acts of love and kindness every day at our hospital, our physician offices and everywhere we care for a hospice patient. What would happen if we got united around stories about love and kindness in our HealthCare system? Could this create a ripple effect that might bring more people together to find workable solutions to our problems?

Earlier this week, I addressed our new GBMC colleagues at new employee orientation. My job at orientation is to begin to enroll my new colleagues in our vision. I always try to engage new employees in a conversation about our transformation towards being the healthcare system that treats everyone, every time the way we want our own loved ones treated. This week, there were nearly 30 new employees joining the GBMC HealthCare family.

Let me share with you some of what I learned about two of our new people.

I had the pleasure of speaking with one of our new Registered Dieticians, Nancy Glaser, who told me that she is excited about bringing diabetes education directly to patients in our Patient-Centered Medical Homes.

Q: Why did you choose to work at GBMC?
A: As a diabetes educator, working with the community is very important to me. GBMC is a community health system and feels like a community health system.  I will be working in the outpatient diabetes center, but also getting out into primary care offices where people with diabetes are seen most often. We're taking the care to the patient and meeting them where they're already comfortable.

Q: So far, as an employee, what are your top 3 impressions of GBMC?
A: 1) Friendly:  Just simple hellos and smiles from so many people really help make GBMC a place where I want to be.
2) Clean and bright:  Walking through the hallways, I see a shine that stood out to me.  The brightness can really help bring cheer to patients that need it.
3) Energetic:  Throughout my hiring process, I have felt the energy in the department of people truly wanting to make a difference.

Q: How do you see your job relating to the organization's mission?
A:  Health, Healing, and Hope:  My goal is to help patients stay as healthy as they can. By finding out what they typically eat and what their daily life is like, together, we can find ways to keep their blood sugars (and blood pressure, weight and other health measures) under control. By working with the patients, they become empowered and it gives them hope that yes, they can do it.

Q:  What do you think will be the best part of working in your department?
A:  Working with a team of educators where we can learn from each other and from the patients to maximize the effectiveness of diabetes education.

Q: Give us a FUN fact about you.
A:  I love to ski, swim and run, and I love watching my kids play soccer and lacrosse and NFL football (Go Ravens!).  I played water polo in high school, but if I tried to play it now, I would probably drown.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Antonio Wood, Sr., who is joining our environmental services team. 

Q: Why did you choose to work at GBMC?
A:  I choose to work at GBMC because the people are friendly and helpful.

Q:  So far, as an employee, what are your top 3 impressions of GBMC?
A:  My top 3 impressions of GBMC are the quality of care, cleanliness and the concern for patients.

Q:  How do you see your job relating to the organization's mission?
A:  In assuring that the patients’ rooms are cleaned properly and sanitized, I will prevent germs spreading from one patient to another. 

Q:  What is/do you think will be the best part of working in your department?
A:  I will do my best in my department to maintain a pleasant work environment.

Q:  Give us a FUN fact about you.
A:  I love eating hard red delicious apples. I enjoy watching football and baseball.

…and Back to Kindness
The start of Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 12–18, is just nine days away! Although we focus on kindness all throughout the year, GBMC HealthCare is celebrating by encouraging kindness among our coworkers.

This year, staff members are asked to submit nominations for the new Random Acts of Kindness Ambassador Award. This is an opportunity to share stories about and recognize a coworker who has gone above and beyond in being kind to coworkers and patients throughout the year. Submissions will be accepted from now until Monday, February 13. Click here to submit a nomination. The winner will be announced on Thursday, February 16.