State of the State – What do you want to know?

My oh my, where has the month gone!? We’re already approaching November, which means I’ll be starting my twice-a-year employee meetings very soon. We have some tentative dates scheduled for the end of November, so be on the lookout for the final dates soon.

This is your opportunity to open that line of communication with our senior leadership team and for us to really listen to what’s on your mind — your praises, your concerns, questions, and you all know how much I like a good rumor.

I’m putting together some things I’d like to share with you guys. but, these meetings are for YOU. It’s a chance for all of us to be completely available and transparent to answer any questions YOU have.

So, what’s on your mind? Comment below with some questions/topics that you’d like me to touch base on and we will do our best to include as many of your questions/topics as time allows.

Thank you in advance for all of your meeting input and efforts to improve our process.

It's an honor

Pattie Foley (VP, Outpatient Services) celebrated her 25th year as a Children’s Specialized Hospital employee this year. She loved working here so much as a student that she never left! And we are thankful for that. 

Pattie Foley (back center) working with a patient in 2000.

My father also worked at the same place for a long time—45 years to be exact. Like Pattie, he had many different jobs within the organization, but neither he nor Pattie have any experience working in another organization other than the one they know.

There may be many of you who are in this same boat. After all, we recognized 24 employees at the Employee Recognition Dinner last month who have been with us for 20 to 35 years!

Much to my Father's dismay, I have worked in a number of organizations. He thinks it means I can't keep a job, and maybe he's right. But I also think it’s helped me to learn more about different organizational cultures. It’s because of those different experiences that I’ve been able to truly appreciate working here.

Today I want to share the things that I see at Children's Specialized that allow me to fully endorse working here – and not just because of my position.

First and foremost, it's about the mission. There is a special thing that drives someone to work for children with special needs. People are hopeful and have an inner strength that says "I can overcome anything that comes my way and help others do the same."

It’s fortitude; a sense of resilience. Whether you are a clinician or supporting others who deliver care, every employee that works at Children’s Specialized has this special trait. I know your stories and I know you have a fight in your belly to help others.

Second, it is about the people. You all rally for each other in ways that stop traffic. I have seen tragedy, such as loss of a child, spouse, parent. Through every unexpected tragedy, you are all there for each other. You are present in every meaning of the word.

You do the big and small things.

People opened their homes after Hurricane Sandy so their colleagues would be able to have  a home-cooked meal, and even started a Children’s Specialized Hospital Crisis Fund and collected/donated TOP time without a moment of disagreement because you wanted to make sure your colleagues could access additional days, and funds, when they were in desperate need.

Through a number of events and activities you raise money for the hospital in such a fierce way and you give to our kids when no one is looking. Your hearts and souls are tremendous gifts.

Which leads me to my last point: there is nothing you won’t do for our kids. Cases big and small, you stretch to fit them all in. You extend yourself to get every child the resources they need, even if you don't know the path right off the bat. You celebrate their joys and their losses as if they were your own.

Every one of you sacrifices freely and selflessly to assist in any and all ways. I have seen so many acts of selflessness with our families that I can't even begin to detail them all here.

You know I’m tearing up at this point, right?

Here is what I do know for sure – when you become an employee at Children’s Specialized Hospital, you become a part of a family. The Children’s Specialized Family and a part of the families that we serve. That comes with real love and real appreciation for every role you play and every task you do. Don't ever take that for granted.

After working in a number of organizations and environments, it’s working at Children’s Specialized that allows me to continue to say it is an honor to work with this amazing staff and patients and families we serve. If asked about our hospital, without hesitation I would highly recommend working here and experiencing the miracles, the love, the ups and the downs that we do.

And when asked, I hope your answer will be the same

Get out there and vote!

Today is election day and every member of our House of Representatives and one of our US senators is up for re-election; there are a variety of local races too.

In New Jersey, unless there is a presidential election, only one third of eligible voters actually go to the polls. That means roughly 30 percent of New Jersey residents select who will represent us in Congress. Kind of an alarming statistic, don’t you think?

Now, if these 30 percent of voters think like you, then I bet you’d be content, but for the residents who may hold different views than you, by not voting you have given up your right to be at the table.

You may have already heard this, but in my first job out of college I worked in Washington, DC for Congressman Jim Florio. There, even at the age of 23, I learned first-hand just how important that single vote and your voice is. People would come in all day long to discuss changes or support for the issues they were passionate about, just like I do when we go down to Washington with our families!

Even more, what I saw during my time in Washington was very few people taking the time to weigh-in on an issue or write to their elected officials directly!

The constitution is set up so we can all participate, free of charge, and vote each November. It is your chance to ensure that someone who thinks like you represents your voice in Congress. Voting can’t guarantee that your candidate will win the election, but it does mean that at least you were heard.

I have included a list from the League of Women Voters of candidates’ positions. The group is a non-partisan group – they can’t endorse anyone, but they share the responses from candidates to questions  that were asked.

If you are not sure who your elected official is, this tool allows you to submit your address and find out! Also, click here to find your voting location.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Please take the time to vote – for yourself and our kids.

What should we discuss in our employee meetings?

Next week I start my twice-a-year employee meetings. This is an opportunity to open that line of communication with our senior leadership team and for us to really listen to what’s on your mind — your praises, your concerns, questions, and you all know how much I like a good rumor.

There are of course important topics we need to discuss – topics that are important for you to be aware of – to make these meetings truly beneficial for you, but we want to know what you want to talk about.

Is there something you heard through the grapevine that you’re curious about? A topic that you’ve wanted to discuss for some time now, but haven’t been given the opportunity? We want to know!

This blog has and always will be a vehicle for you to share your meeting input with me – and you can use your name or ask a question anonymously.

Please submit your questions or topics you want us to discuss during our employee meetings. We will do our best to include as many questions/topics as time allows.

Thank you in advance for all of your meeting input and efforts to improve our process.