Our GEMS: Staff going the extra mile
Many of our patients and families express deep appreciation for the care they or a loved one received at Reid Health. Often, they wonder how they can say "thank you" in a special way to someone who has cared so much… the one who was their GEM.
These nominations from patients and from staff become a pool of great stories that illustrate the willingness of our team members to Go the Extra Mile on behalf of patients and families. Each month, a GEM is celebrated in our ceremonies where we also celebrate employees with five or more years with us.
Nominate someone using this form; see our GEM stories below of GEMs celebrated so far this year.
Recognize a G.E.M.
March 2024: Daniel F. and Brandon G., Emergency Services
A homeless patient came into the ER with burns to both feet and frostbite. He had lost his only pair of boots in a fire he had made trying to get warm. Our charge nurse for the day, Daniel F., didn't hesitate to give the patient his own snow boots that he had worn to work that day. Within an hour, Brandon G. came into the ER -- on his day off -- carrying brand-new boots for Daniel. Both Brandon and Daniel went well beyond the extra mile!
February 2024: Emma I., Whitewater Valley Primary Care
Emma I., Whitewater Valley Primary Care, found out a patient who had recently fallen and broken ribs wasn't going to get his spirometer for several days because of the holidays. She went to the pharmacy, picked one up, paid for it herself, and delivered it to the patient's home. This was very generous of Emma. She cares for her patients and didn't want this person to go without.
January 2024: Alexis W. and Kaesha B., Home Medical Equipment
My sister's house caught fire, and her family lost everything that was inside. I went to the Home Medical Equipment store to buy my niece and nephew diapers, but it's been a while since I had kids that little so I was asking the workers questions about how long a box would last and how much of each size I should get. Alexis W. and Kaesha B. could see something was wrong, so I told them about my sister's situation. The next thing I knew, they had me loaded up with diapers for both children, plus wipes (I had completely forgotten about those). They refused payment, split the cost of the supplies down the middle between the two of them, and sent me on my way. It was an incredible thing to do. My sister was shocked at the amount of diapers and almost speechless. These two went the extra mile, and we appreciate it so much.
December 2023: Brooklin W., Contact Center
A patient recently was scheduled for surgery at ROSE. When she arrived, a problem with her insurance coverage prevented her from being checked in. Brooklin W., Contact Center, dropped everything she was working on to get the proper paperwork over to ROSE staff so the patient could have her surgery. If Brooklin hadn't acted so fast, the surgery might have needed to be rescheduled. This is just one example of many that Brooklin has helped ROSE staff with. She is an amazing employee who deserves to be recognized for all her hard work. She is a true GEM. Reid is very fortunate to have her as part of our team.
November 2023: Kelley M., Richmond Family Care and Residency Clinic
A facilitywide COVID outbreak rapidly expanded to more than 40 Rosebud Village residents and more than 30 members of their staff. Kelley M., Richmond Family Care and Residency Clinic, was scheduled for a much-needed weekend off but spent Saturday, Sunday, and beyond working nonstop to take care of the outbreak. Only two COVID-positive patients had to be transferred to the hospital. If Kelley had left this in the hands of the on-call providers, they would not have known the patients well enough to manage the population this way and many more would have come into the Emergency Department at Reid. Her only reason to do this was pure devotion to the patients and the facility.
October 2023: Mindi S., Radiology
September 2023: Courtney S., Reid Psychiatric Associates
A patient who had an appointment scheduled for the next day with Courtney S. showed up at Reid Psychiatric Associates in desperate need to talk to her immediately. His daughter and new granddaughter had been killed in an automobile accident and he had to identify their bodies. He was in tears. It was Courtney's day off -- and she was not feeling well either -- but she immediately dropped everything and was in the office within the hour to talk with her patient. She stayed a little more than an hour to make sure he was good and could move forward. Courtney went above and beyond for this patient. I believe she deserves to be recognized, applauded, and many "thank yous."
August 2023: Renee H., Contact Center
A patient called in to reschedule, saying she was stuck in the Ivy Tech parking lot. The patient was disoriented and said she was starting to feel ill and needed a Coke. Renee H., Contact Center, went the extra mile and called the Reid, IU East, and Richmond Police Departments trying to get someone to the patient to help her. Renee also offered to try to find the patient to help her out of the parking lot. The patient ended up getting help from the Reid Police Department. Thank you, Renee!
July 2023: Rochelle S., Patient Access Services
Rochelle S., Patient Access Services, recently helped a patient whose walker was off-balance, going so far as to buy parts with her own money to repair it. If Rochelle sees a patient with a walker that needs fixed, you can bet she's going to jump in! She always goes above and beyond for our patients no matter the situation. She is truly amazing!
June 2023: Myreta K., Patient Continuum of Care
One of our care coordinators had a patient who needed a wheelchair. The patient's insurance company wouldn't cover the cost of the wheelchair, and the patient couldn't afford to buy one. The care coordinator shared the need with the rest of the Patient Continuum of Care Department, and two days later, Myreta K. provided a wheelchair for the patient.
May 2023: John C., Reid Health Police Department
An adolescent patient had been in the Reid Health - Connersville Emergency Department for several hours awaiting placement. The patient was hungry and didn't care for any of the lunch options offered. John C., Reid Health Police Department, ordered pizza for the patient while he waited. John went above and beyond for the patient, and his genuine kindness is appreciated!
April 2023: Hannah Y., Observation Unit
Shortly before a patient was to be transferred to another unit, she
started to panic and came out of her room saying someone was in there who had
abused her in the past. Hannah Y., Observation Unit, comforted the patient and
assured her she wouldn't be made to go back in the room as the patient insisted
the abuser was in there trying to get to her. Hannah calmed the patient down
and helped her take a shower to feel better. The patient lives out of her truck,
and Hannah went as far as giving her the shoes off her feet! The patient cried
and said, "I've never had someone care about me so much!" Hannah
definitely went the extra mile and showed how great a nurse she is!