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.
September 2020: Sara B., Jessica R.
September's two GEMS of the month are Sara B. and Jessica R. who were inspired by an employee social media group dedicated to providing staff updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. The phrase "Reid Strong" was used often, so they decided to create and order special #REIDSTRONG bracelets to represent and celebrate how team members came together and grew stronger as the Reid Health family as they dealt with the stress of being on the front lines of a pandemic. "This bracelet was just a little reminder that we all could wear and remind us that we are all #REIDSTRONG, and that we were there for each other."
August 2020: Matt S., Radiology
Matt S.,
Radiology, was working as a door screener and got into a conversation with a
woman and her grandson. She shared she'd recently lost her son and her husband
had also recently passed away. Meanwhile, the grandson was admiring Matt's
shoes, which generated some additional conversation. The grandmother shared her
grandson has to wear lightweight shoes because of a disability. They joked that
if Matt ever had a garage sale, they would come and buy the shoes. When the
grandson was leaving, Matt went out and gave him the shoes off his feet, and
really brightened their day!
July 2020: Adam M., Environmental Services
Adam M., Environmental Services, cleans the Oncology
Services area and always stopped to say hello to a cancer patient who was in
treatment. The patient moved to hospice and was unable to hold her large
thermal cup. Adam went to the gift shop and bought her a smaller one. "His
kindness and thoughtfulness made my mom's day and put a big smile on her face,"
said the nominator.
JUNE 2020: Connie H., Environmental Services
Connie H., Environmental Services, is known for going
above and beyond for the patients with whom she comes in contact while cleaning
their rooms, such as learning details like whether they drink coffee and how
they like it prepared. She recently was in a room with a patient who - because
of long road of recovery with COVID-19 - was depressed and having some
cognitive issues. The patient saw Connie's necklace and asked if she could have
it. Without hesitation, Connie took the jewelry off and gave it to the patient.
She told staff the patient needed the necklace -- which was a cross -- more
than she did during the time of recovery.
February 2020: Lisa R., Clinical Documentation Improvement
Lisa R., Clinical Documentation Improvement, was in
the Reid Health café when she noticed a senior citizen having trouble getting his food. She
got his food for him, helped him to the table and then went back to obtain
other items he needed. "She made sure he had everything he needed before
getting her own needs filled," the nominator said. "It showed heart and a
willingness to go the extra mile."
January 2020: Jami P., Reid Health Urgent Care - Connersville
Jami P., NP, at Reid Health Urgent Care - Connersville,
saw a child whose grandmother had just become his guardian. Because it had just
happened, the grandmother said she only had the clothes he was wearing and
didn't even yet have a car seat for him. Jami saw she was stressed and soon
organized -- with help from others in the office -- a collection of clothing, a car seat and
even some toys and Christmas items for him. She also arranged for the grandmother
to pick up the items, where the grandmother "cried tears of happiness" for the
gesture. Photo, from left: Randy Kirk, Reid Health Vice President/Foundation President, and Jami P.
