I am constantly amazed at how so many of you extend yourself beyond the call of duty to serve our kids. The hours that are put in, sometimes outside of work, helping our kids achieve new heights is greatly appreciated. In addition, there are certain times of year when specific departments are asked to go above and beyond their normal work routine. Remember, there are the behind the scenes staff work very hard just to “make the trains run on time” that you never even think about. I thought I would share a couple of examples but then ask you to share a shout out to those you may want to acknowledge for their hard work; or someone who you may need a pat on the back during this stressful season.
Beth Upham, Volunteer Director, stopped me to tell me about the great job the Facilities team has been doing to support our kids. We are getting daily drop offs of gifts and toys that need to be delivered to our storage unit. This is in addition to all the other things that they have to do on a daily basis. Or there are outside groups, sometimes two a day, that want to come and do crafts or some type of volunteer work. Not only does this require the help of Facilities, but Environmental Services and Dietary have to do all of their normal work, but then are asked to do set up and break down for the special visitors!
For all of these special events Physicians, Nursing, CNA's, Therapists, Therapy Aides, Pharmacists, Pharmacy techs, and Respiratory teams have to reorganize the treatments and care of our patients around these activities. And then of course the huge amount of work done by Child Life and Recreation Departments organizing all of the gifts and toy requests and working with the Volunteer Department to make sure every one has what they want or need for the holiday. See everyone has their hand in this holiday madness, yet everything gets done. We all know how much efforts our parents, well mothers, put into make our own holidays such a special time and that special effort easily transfers to making sure our patients are able to make special holiday memories.
One of our Operators recently and reminded me of how important the work they do is and how busy they are directing people to the right location in the hospital to have their needs met. I often think about the folks in Billing who don’t get to see the kids on a regular basis and everyday is filled with either fighting with insurance companies or having angry parents call them about their bills.
All of this work we do is so important. We are very fortunate to work with excellent Doctor's Therapists, Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacists, Social Workers and all who support them to make sure our kids have the best possible outcomes. And we see those results in our excellent quality scores and in the children's success as they continue to progress with their lives.
Having said all of this, I am reminded of my talk during orientation about Teamwork. No one person in this organization can be successful at CSH alone. It takes all of us working together to make sure the children we have the honor to care for get all that they need to reach their maximum potential.
So, is there someone that you would like to give a shout out to; or a story that you would like to share about the kindness of your colleagues?
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Employee Engagement Survey – Ready to Play 20 Questions?
Every 3 years we ask you to complete an anonymous survey to get important feedback on your life here at Children's Specialized. We pick this timeframe so we can have enough time to implement changes, based on your feedback, and then resurvey to see how we did. This year, we are changing from an “employee satisfaction” survey to an “employee engagement” survey.
What does employee engagement actually mean?
Employee engagement is the difference between just doing a job and loving your job. An "engaged employee" is one who is fully involved in, and enthusiastic about their work and the organization they work for. Organizations that create this environment and support their employees in being engaged find that they are more successful at achieving their goals both in quality and financial.
You have told me that the surveys in the past were too long and repetitive. This time, our survey is shorter and you can easily fill it out between patients, or at the beginning or end of your shift. It is just 20 questions. That’s it.
There are a couple of questions that you have asked me about privately that I thought it might be helpful to answer for all.
Q: “Is my pay fair?”
A: You have told me you will most likely reply “no” to this question on any survey, because if you all say yes, no one will ever have a raise. It is my wish that we had all of the gold in the world to pay you not what your work is worth, but what you mean to the lives of the children we serve and to me. As these economic times have challenged us all, this question is really asking you to compare your salary to what you know of those who work in your household or in a similar field.
Please remember, we have made decisions over the last few years to avoid mass layoffs, and we have made difficult decisions so people could keep their jobs. All those decisions relate to pay and making sure people could keep their jobs and be paid fairly, compared to other hospitals and employers.
Q: “Why can’t I share my concerns about people I do not report to?”
A: Sometimes you say that you love your Supervisor, but have a problem with their boss, and the survey doesn't let you weigh in on that. The survey asks you to rate the person you report to directly. The situation is hard to analyze when there isn't a direct reporting relationship. he information may be skewed based upon your interactions which may be anecdotal.
There are open ended questions included to give you the chance to include any of that information that you think would make the organization better. I would especially ask if you participate in meetings or tasks that you think don't add value to you or the organization, this is a good place to share these suggestions if you don't feel like you can give that feedback to your Supervisor. Also, if you had put a suggestion out and felt like it fell on deaf ears, and don't want to use the rumor mill, you can put it in the open ended questions on this survey.
Q: “Is it really anonymous?”
A: It is absolutely anonymous. However, if you are the only direct report to your Supervisor - then of course your Supervisor will know it is you. Or if you include in your open ended answers words or phrases that only you use - like “Wahoo!” for me - no one else says that but me! Then someone may make the guess that it is you, but under no circumstances do we get names with the survey.
Q; "Do different work units work well together?"
A: On this question, answer from your personal experience and not from heresay. This is about what you have personally witnessed, not what you’ve heard.
Please take this time NOW to ask me anything about the survey. Leave your comments below.
The survey will be sent to all employees on December 5. Please answer the questions. Your sincere feedback will help Children’s Specialized become a better place to work, and in turn we will provide better care to our patients and families.
What does employee engagement actually mean?
Employee engagement is the difference between just doing a job and loving your job. An "engaged employee" is one who is fully involved in, and enthusiastic about their work and the organization they work for. Organizations that create this environment and support their employees in being engaged find that they are more successful at achieving their goals both in quality and financial.
You have told me that the surveys in the past were too long and repetitive. This time, our survey is shorter and you can easily fill it out between patients, or at the beginning or end of your shift. It is just 20 questions. That’s it.
There are a couple of questions that you have asked me about privately that I thought it might be helpful to answer for all.
Q: “Is my pay fair?”
A: You have told me you will most likely reply “no” to this question on any survey, because if you all say yes, no one will ever have a raise. It is my wish that we had all of the gold in the world to pay you not what your work is worth, but what you mean to the lives of the children we serve and to me. As these economic times have challenged us all, this question is really asking you to compare your salary to what you know of those who work in your household or in a similar field.
Please remember, we have made decisions over the last few years to avoid mass layoffs, and we have made difficult decisions so people could keep their jobs. All those decisions relate to pay and making sure people could keep their jobs and be paid fairly, compared to other hospitals and employers.
Q: “Why can’t I share my concerns about people I do not report to?”
A: Sometimes you say that you love your Supervisor, but have a problem with their boss, and the survey doesn't let you weigh in on that. The survey asks you to rate the person you report to directly. The situation is hard to analyze when there isn't a direct reporting relationship. he information may be skewed based upon your interactions which may be anecdotal.
There are open ended questions included to give you the chance to include any of that information that you think would make the organization better. I would especially ask if you participate in meetings or tasks that you think don't add value to you or the organization, this is a good place to share these suggestions if you don't feel like you can give that feedback to your Supervisor. Also, if you had put a suggestion out and felt like it fell on deaf ears, and don't want to use the rumor mill, you can put it in the open ended questions on this survey.
Q: “Is it really anonymous?”
A: It is absolutely anonymous. However, if you are the only direct report to your Supervisor - then of course your Supervisor will know it is you. Or if you include in your open ended answers words or phrases that only you use - like “Wahoo!” for me - no one else says that but me! Then someone may make the guess that it is you, but under no circumstances do we get names with the survey.
Q; "Do different work units work well together?"
A: On this question, answer from your personal experience and not from heresay. This is about what you have personally witnessed, not what you’ve heard.
Please take this time NOW to ask me anything about the survey. Leave your comments below.
The survey will be sent to all employees on December 5. Please answer the questions. Your sincere feedback will help Children’s Specialized become a better place to work, and in turn we will provide better care to our patients and families.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Ten Years Later
Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This is one of those events, for those of us living in this part of the country, that all of us know where we were when the first plane struck the tower. In some ways it changed life as we know it and in other ways a decade has gone by and so little has changed about our safety or our presumption of safety.
Not since the 1800's had we had a "war" on American soil. While we have certainly risen to the occasion and helped, sometimes reluctantly through out the world, this time was different. They hit us at home, on a beautiful sunny day that could have been like any - other except it wasn't.
Many of you know that in 2002 I worked in the Governor's office. Part of my responsibility as Deputy of Chief of Staff was "special projects" and the 9-11 survivors became my responsibility. We planned events, worked on the Memorial and I watched people process their grief. For some it was always present, looking for answers and closure. For others their work on the Memorial was a place to focus their attention. For all, the loss they had suffered would change their lives forever and for some it would also take a lifetime of healing.
Much like we often do here, I felt like I had such an intimate view of their pain and their healing. This week we are going to see their pain again, as the press looks to make it real again for everyone else. For those who lost loved ones, it doesn't have to be made real - they live it every day.
Ten years later my wish is that the Memorial at the World Trade Center site provides a historic monument to honor all those who died that day and to the rest of the world - to show that no matter how devastating or how much harm is caused in America, we will go on, finding a way to honor the past and create hope for the future.
So do you have a memory or wish as we approach the 10th anniversary that you would be willing to share?
Not since the 1800's had we had a "war" on American soil. While we have certainly risen to the occasion and helped, sometimes reluctantly through out the world, this time was different. They hit us at home, on a beautiful sunny day that could have been like any - other except it wasn't.
Many of you know that in 2002 I worked in the Governor's office. Part of my responsibility as Deputy of Chief of Staff was "special projects" and the 9-11 survivors became my responsibility. We planned events, worked on the Memorial and I watched people process their grief. For some it was always present, looking for answers and closure. For others their work on the Memorial was a place to focus their attention. For all, the loss they had suffered would change their lives forever and for some it would also take a lifetime of healing.
Much like we often do here, I felt like I had such an intimate view of their pain and their healing. This week we are going to see their pain again, as the press looks to make it real again for everyone else. For those who lost loved ones, it doesn't have to be made real - they live it every day.
Ten years later my wish is that the Memorial at the World Trade Center site provides a historic monument to honor all those who died that day and to the rest of the world - to show that no matter how devastating or how much harm is caused in America, we will go on, finding a way to honor the past and create hope for the future.
So do you have a memory or wish as we approach the 10th anniversary that you would be willing to share?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Always Prepared
I don't know about you, but I have been tied to my TV watching the weather radar. Truly, I keep hoping that Irene will hang a right and just go out into the ocean and all of this excitement will be for not.
To be honest, I wasn't as interested in the weather before I started working at Children's Specialized. For us when the basics go down and our kids literally live or die based upon electricity, roads being cleared and all the things that some people may just see as a minor inconvenience.
It’s been my experience at CSH, whether it is a snow storm, floods or the one tornado I was part of, that we always rise to the occasion and demonstrate the absolute best in our planning and teamwork.
Kevin Sullivan is our Emergency Management Expert and has done an amazing job with his committee making sure our emergency plans are always where they need to be. You will be getting an email from him today outlining our plans and also offering thoughts for you as well.
Our friends at Children's Hospital of Alabama sent us a list of tips for our personal use that they have refined from their vast experience managing unpredictable weather. It was so very nice for their CEO to send it, that I thought I should share it with you.
Add your own helpful safety tips in the comments below.
Suggestions from Children's Hospital Alabama for your personal homes:
- At least 18 hours prior, set your AC at 55 or 60 so your house cools down and has the ability to stay cooler if the power goes out.
- Put as many containers of water in the freezer as you can. You will be able to use them in the lower part of the fridge as cold packs if power goes out.
- Make sure you have Coleman ($9-10) battery operated camp lanterns (Target, Wal-Mart, etc) and plenty of batteries. They last a long time and are handy for reading!
- Charge your laptop computers, cell phones, etc.
- Make sure you have a battery-operated radio.
- If you have a grill, make sure you have charcoal or propane to use. A good way to cook ...including eggs and pizza!
- Cook as much food as possible in advance so that you only have to reheat and can do that easily on grill.
- If a storm does strike, move to the basement, if you have one.
- If you have gas hot water heaters, showers are still doable!
Good luck to all and please be safe.
To be honest, I wasn't as interested in the weather before I started working at Children's Specialized. For us when the basics go down and our kids literally live or die based upon electricity, roads being cleared and all the things that some people may just see as a minor inconvenience.
It’s been my experience at CSH, whether it is a snow storm, floods or the one tornado I was part of, that we always rise to the occasion and demonstrate the absolute best in our planning and teamwork.
Kevin Sullivan is our Emergency Management Expert and has done an amazing job with his committee making sure our emergency plans are always where they need to be. You will be getting an email from him today outlining our plans and also offering thoughts for you as well.
Our friends at Children's Hospital of Alabama sent us a list of tips for our personal use that they have refined from their vast experience managing unpredictable weather. It was so very nice for their CEO to send it, that I thought I should share it with you.
Add your own helpful safety tips in the comments below.
Suggestions from Children's Hospital Alabama for your personal homes:
- At least 18 hours prior, set your AC at 55 or 60 so your house cools down and has the ability to stay cooler if the power goes out.
- Put as many containers of water in the freezer as you can. You will be able to use them in the lower part of the fridge as cold packs if power goes out.
- Make sure you have Coleman ($9-10) battery operated camp lanterns (Target, Wal-Mart, etc) and plenty of batteries. They last a long time and are handy for reading!
- Charge your laptop computers, cell phones, etc.
- Make sure you have a battery-operated radio.
- If you have a grill, make sure you have charcoal or propane to use. A good way to cook ...including eggs and pizza!
- Cook as much food as possible in advance so that you only have to reheat and can do that easily on grill.
- If a storm does strike, move to the basement, if you have one.
- If you have gas hot water heaters, showers are still doable!
Good luck to all and please be safe.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Getting to Know You…
So, sometimes we learn fun facts about people we have worked side by side with for years and just never knew.
Last week Missy Morrow, Rec Therapy NB, was telling me a story about how a colleague came to her rescue with one of her patients who loved to play baseball and Missy doesn’t have the best pitching arm so to speak. So Melissa Smith, SP NB, (a very skilled softball player) and Sue Winning, PT NB, (an avid golfer with the lowest handicap I’ve ever seen!) came to the rescue and stepped in. It was a great story about team work but it also made me wonder - "What else don't I know about the people I work next to every day?"
So here we go, great blog topic to get us sharing again.
Have you climbed Mt Everest? Are an accomplished scuba diver? Were you the drum majorette or member of the all state track team in high school? Do you have an unusual talent? Have you ever been on a reality TV show? Were you voted most likely to ….. in high school? Have you traveled to the ends of the Earth and back? Lived with the gorillas like Jane Goodall! (I honestly know a CSH employee who’s done this! Okay, she certainly didn’t live with them, but stayed for a good long visit)
What things have you accomplished that might be fun to share? Or do you know something special about your colleagues that you would like to share (with their blessing of course)?
Please don’t feel like you’re bragging or being boastful. Think more of it as a way to get to know your work friends a little better and you might be able to help your colleagues in a new way!
Okay – I’ll start. I played the violin throughout elementary, middle school, high school and beyond. I was even elected president of our orchestra. When I was about 16 the tuba player in the band quit and I decided to give it a try to help – because what’s a band without a tuba! But I couldn’t carry the enormous case and gave up after two weeks!
Last week Missy Morrow, Rec Therapy NB, was telling me a story about how a colleague came to her rescue with one of her patients who loved to play baseball and Missy doesn’t have the best pitching arm so to speak. So Melissa Smith, SP NB, (a very skilled softball player) and Sue Winning, PT NB, (an avid golfer with the lowest handicap I’ve ever seen!) came to the rescue and stepped in. It was a great story about team work but it also made me wonder - "What else don't I know about the people I work next to every day?"
So here we go, great blog topic to get us sharing again.
Have you climbed Mt Everest? Are an accomplished scuba diver? Were you the drum majorette or member of the all state track team in high school? Do you have an unusual talent? Have you ever been on a reality TV show? Were you voted most likely to ….. in high school? Have you traveled to the ends of the Earth and back? Lived with the gorillas like Jane Goodall! (I honestly know a CSH employee who’s done this! Okay, she certainly didn’t live with them, but stayed for a good long visit)
What things have you accomplished that might be fun to share? Or do you know something special about your colleagues that you would like to share (with their blessing of course)?
Please don’t feel like you’re bragging or being boastful. Think more of it as a way to get to know your work friends a little better and you might be able to help your colleagues in a new way!
Okay – I’ll start. I played the violin throughout elementary, middle school, high school and beyond. I was even elected president of our orchestra. When I was about 16 the tuba player in the band quit and I decided to give it a try to help – because what’s a band without a tuba! But I couldn’t carry the enormous case and gave up after two weeks!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tips for Losing Big
I have heard many of you saying that you would like a place to go for information. Let's share our tips for weight loss!
You know Marianne is encouraging us to make sure we are being smart, eating right and exercising too. It is no good to be thin and not be able to walk up a flight of stairs (Jessica Krill told me that!).
So what are your tips for taking the weight off and staying motivated?
You know Marianne is encouraging us to make sure we are being smart, eating right and exercising too. It is no good to be thin and not be able to walk up a flight of stairs (Jessica Krill told me that!).
So what are your tips for taking the weight off and staying motivated?
Monday, May 16, 2011
Accomplishments All Around
Wow! I have heard of several amazing feats lately by our staff, family, and friends, which made me wonder how many more there are that we don’t know about. Warren Moore's son won the National Toshiba Science project for his team’s creation of a bionic ear - and he is in only in high school. Victor Vena's son is now ranked third in the country for top scores in shot put, having thrown 75 feet. He won four gold medals at the Penn Relays, which almost never happens. Rose Allsop’s son came in sixth in a National Collegiate competition where he and his team created a vehicle that works on both land and water, and had to hit a goal time as well.
Kelly Lynch and Ellen Brennan (PT's, Stevens Road) are both completing their doctoral program - while working FULL TIME! It is just amazing!
These things made me wonder what else great stuff is going on. Do you have wonderful things to share about you or your family?
Please share. We all love to celebrate great things that are happening for the people we work with each and every day
Kelly Lynch and Ellen Brennan (PT's, Stevens Road) are both completing their doctoral program - while working FULL TIME! It is just amazing!
These things made me wonder what else great stuff is going on. Do you have wonderful things to share about you or your family?
Please share. We all love to celebrate great things that are happening for the people we work with each and every day
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