Being capable

Ok, so I don't want to sound like I have become my mother (trust me, that’s a whole other blog post), but I want to share with you some reflections. Our employee engagement survey starts on Monday, and one of the questions asks about the tools you need to do your job.

I grew up with my mother reminding me about how fortunate I am to have grown up both when I did and how I did. She loved to tell the story about walking miles to school through feet of snow, uphill, both ways etc. I bet you’ve heard the same from your parents.

I would just roll my eyes every time the story would start again. Yes, I too had that nasty habit and I’m not proud of it. Even as I write this post, I can hear my mother’s voice telling those stories.

Some of the questions you will be asked during the employee engagement survey (which begins on Monday!) will be about having the tools you need to do your job. I have a few things to share with you guys today about this one.

I remember vividly being in Toms River Main Street during one of my first employee meetings and our colleagues begging for new space—bigger gym and better space. I also remember the need to have better equipment at Stevens Road and the need to redo the North Wing in Mountainside.

Over the last decade we have invested over $100 million into our organization. We built a new inpatient hospital, opened or renovated 6 of our facilities – including our Long Term Care unit in Mountainside.

Let’s talk about the technological advancements! We created an electronic medical record (EMR), a scanning system, an electronic pharmacy tracking system, new billing systems – including electronic payment from insurers. We have implemented the use of the VGo with our babies and introduced new clinical programs to meet the needs of our patients.

When it comes to staff, we have added improvements in support of staff by improving the at-home sign on and the reimbursement tracking and payment processes at your requests. You have driven our clinical improvements, and we have continuously expanded and invested as you all have told us about new things.

While I know we will continue to evolve, I am so very thankful that we have done this with the tremendous support of our Foundation and donors who have funded most of these investments.

One of the most important things we have invested in is training for staff and by staff. Expanding your access to the experts among all of us and featuring you in the work that we are doing. From Clinical Rounds to Leadership Learning Retreats, we are all continuing our learnings and striving to grow. Many of you have presented at national and international conferences, sharing your expertise and featuring the hospital as one that showcases you and your great work!

Guys, I know we’re not perfect. And yes, there will always be more things to do and more needs, but it’s important that we take a look at the big picture. We continue to look for new and different ways to improve our services for our kids, understanding that we have to make our investments prudently to serve the most kids. THAT is what’s important.

I am so very proud of the work we have done and excited about the continued success that I know is before us.

What improvement has helped you to do your job better?