All about YOU: Employees celebrated at annual appreciation event

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Thousands of Michigan Medicine employees took time out of their day on Thursday, Aug. 15 to grab a cool treat, collect some fun goodies, and — most importantly — feel valued and celebrated by Michigan Medicine leadership for their hard work and dedication.

The annual Employee Appreciation Day was held around the academic medical center, including the hospital and medical school courtyards, and the UH Café. The day included ice cream served by leadership, financial counseling sessions, a stress management workshop, professional development opportunities, five-minute massages, photo booths and much, much more.

More than 12,000 faculty and staff members were treated in the courtyards and thousands more on inpatient units.

“The day was all about celebrating our employees — showing them how much they are valued and how much the organization takes pride in them,” said JoAnn Grantham, employee recognition program manager for Michigan Medicine Human Resources.

Building a strong community

The Employee Appreciation event, which is held alongside Researchpalooza each year, serves as the perfect opportunity for employees to break out of their typical routine as summer winds down.

And that’s what many of them did, heading down to the event with their colleagues.

“It’s nice seeing all the different employees from all the different specialties coming together,” said Kumail Naqvi, who attended with his colleagues from ULAM. “It shows what a strong community we have at Michigan Medicine.”

Janette Bluchar, a pharmacy tech, agreed that the event is unique and fun.

“We get to take a break from our regular responsibilities and get outside and enjoy the nice weather,” she said. “It’s just a great event.”

Saying thanks

For Michigan Medicine leaders, the day was a way to say thank you.

“This is an event that leadership looks forward to every year,” said Linda Larin, associate hospital director for cardiovascular and neurosciences programs. “It’s an opportunity to connect with colleagues across the health system and take note that we are one big team working together on behalf of our tripartite mission.”

Larin and dozens of other leaders scooped ice cream during one of the three shifts (the morning and night shifts were held in the UH Café, the day shift in the courtyard).

A culture of appreciation

While vendors and groups within the organization gave away prizes during the appreciation event, your chances to win didn’t end there!

Last week, Human Resources randomly selected three employees to take home U-M football tickets (with parking), men’s basketball tickets and hockey tickets. Congratulations to the lucky winners, who are listed to the right!

Additionally, employees across the organization now have the chance to show their appreciation for the colleagues they value by adding names to a “gratitude wall” located on the glass windows near the UH Café for one week, beginning this afternoon.

“The gratitude wall is an easy way for you to show your coworkers how much you care and how much they mean to you,” Grantham said. “The wall — and the employee appreciation event — are all designed to improve upon the culture of appreciation and respect within the organization. And those efforts don’t last just one day or just a few weeks. They go on all year at Michigan Medicine.”

To take a look back at Employee Appreciation Day, check out the photo gallery above! And continue building upon the organization’s culture of community by liking and following the brand-new Employees @ Michigan Medicine Facebook page!