Having Some Fun in the Sun

On Wednesday, we held our annual Employee and Volunteer Appreciation BBQ. I look forward to this event every year because it gives us the opportunity to thank our fabulous people for all they do and for us to spend some time together.  

The people in our system are taking care of patients around the clock, and our team works hard. We organize this barbecue across all shifts and all sites, so that all our people have an opportunity to get a short break, have a meal, and enjoy some camaraderie while being outside. We cannot reach our vision without a fully engaged workforce and we cannot have a fully engaged workforce unless our people feel appreciated. The barbecue gives us some time to let them know we appreciate them. 

Our fourth Aim — More Joy — requires that we take time to celebrate, as a team, the wonderful care we provide. During our hectic workday, it is difficult to find time to bond and reflect on the joy of helping others. 

Fun was clearly on display as everyone enjoyed the music, good food, games, and festivities while having a relaxing time with friends and colleagues. We assembled again later that night to BBQ and play games with the night shift staff.

I also want to give a special thanks to our Human Resources team, led by Anna-Maria Palmer, and our Philanthropy and Marketing and Communications Teams, led by Jenny Coldiron, whose planning made the employee BBQ possible for all of us once again. 

Thank you…
This week is Environmental Services (EVS) & Housekeeping Week and I want to take time to recognize the contributions of our EVS staff. I have a deep appreciation for the role of environmental services in the overall healthcare delivery process and I want to thank all the of our environmental services staff who spend countless hours keeping our facilities clean and helping to prevent infections. Cleanliness is everyone’s job at GBMC, but, our EVS staff members are the experts in cleaning who work tirelessly to get the job done. There are more than 100 EVS associates working around the clock at GBMC in a variety of roles, servicing more than 1.2 million square feet of facility. So, please join me in honoring our EVS team.

Yesterday was Neonatal Nurses Day (part of Neonatal Nurses Week) across our nation. It’s a time where we honor our nursing colleagues and celebrate their hard work and dedication. NICU nurses work around the clock year-round to provide the best care to the tiniest, most vulnerable patients in the hospital. I want to thank them for helping premature and sick infants grow and thrive. With more than 4,500 babies born at GBMC annually, we are very fortunate to have such a high-level NICU to care for those babies who are born too small, too sick, or too soon.