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.
January 2021: Cindi W., Acute Rehab Unit
Cindi W., Acute Rehab Unit, was talking with a visitor at the hospital while the two were in line to get coffee. During the conversation, she asked the gentleman if he was a veteran and he said "yes." They talked a bit more before Cindi offered to buy the man's coffee, saying it would be an honor to do so. "This warmed my heart and was the perfect example as to what Reid exemplifies," the nominator wrote.
December 2020: Michael R., Adam W., EMS Trauma
Michael R. and Adam W., EMS Trauma, were transferring a minor to Riley Hospital with the child's father following their ambulance when they noticed the father had pulled off the road. Wanting to make sure everything was OK, they turned around and found the father had a flat tire. They offered to have him ride in the ambulance the rest of the way to Riley, but the father wasn't comfortable leaving his vehicle behind. Instead, they helped him change his tire.
November 2020: Bryanna J., Urological Care
Bryanna J., Urological Care, found out her patient's
mother passed away the same day the patient had surgery. When the patient came
in for a follow-up appointment, Bryanna purchased and gave her a figurine in
remembrance of her mother. The patient really appreciated and was touched by
Bryanna's thoughtfulness.
October 2020: Karen S., 4 North
Karen S., 4
North, had a patient being discharged who didn't have money for the co-pays for
her prescriptions. The patient's husband had passed away a few months before,
and the patient was struggling. Karen arranged to pay the co-pays without the
patient knowing who did it, and the patient was able to be discharged with the
medicines she needed.
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."
