Tuesday, September 3, 2013

A Reflection on the Meaning of Labor Day

As our country celebrated the hard work of the American people during the Labor Day holiday on Monday, many of us enjoyed the three-day weekend which has also come to symbolize the unofficial end of summer. But, Labor Day is also an opportunity for us to reflect on what we have accomplished and will continue to achieve, and to thank the people that make our health system and our country strong because they go to work every day and put their best efforts toward serving a need. At GBMC, we are fortunate to be able to meet the important need of helping others by delivering to everyone the care that we want for our own loved ones.

And as I reflected on the true meaning of the Labor Day holiday, I realized how thankful I was for the efforts of the entire GBMC staff - from the doctors, nurses, and technicians to our food services workers, environmental service staff and parking attendants.  Every individual at GBMC is an important part of the collective team and I see the great efforts our team puts forth to provide the very best care to patients every day.

I also reflected on what it means to have a job, especially with the way our economy has been over the past six years or so. Now that I have four children who have graduated from college, I see how hard it is to find a good job that you love. I am grateful for my job, which I competed for and was delighted to get. GBMC is a great organization with a great vision and a great future. I know what it means to love what you do and I am honored to work with such dedicated individuals.

I have been talking a lot about standard work, processes and systems, but as we celebrate Labor Day and look ahead I need to remind myself that what makes a healthcare system truly outstanding is not the technology or the facilities, but the people.

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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    Your message recognizes the hard work people on the front-line at GBMC put forth every day to make this a great hospital.

    Consider, as administrators, adopting this same respectful and appreciative tone towards the workforce in day-to-day communications and in the development of policies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Chessare MDSeptember 18, 2013 at 11:59 AM

      Thanks, anonymous. We do use the same respectful tone towards our people in day-to-day policies. If we do not in day to day communications, it means that we are human and you must immediately call this to our attention. If an individual persists in being disrespectful in tone, then further action must be taken.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    We will have to work extra hard now that they are putting an Ice Machine in the Therapy Area of Unit 58. An area orthopedic patients work on transfers, ambulation, car and tub transfers is being turned into an High Fall Risk situation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Chessare MDSeptember 18, 2013 at 12:02 PM

      Thanks, Anonymous. I assume that you work on Unit 58. Please address your concern to Unit 58's manager, Concetta Jackson and Concetta can work with the facilities people to understand and mitigate the risk you are referring to.

      Delete

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