Making a Difference: Core values special edition

Employees across Michigan Medicine continue to make a difference and inspire colleagues through their hard work and dedication. Each month, Headlines features a set of randomly selected submissions from the Making a Difference awards program that highlight our employees’ dedication to an organizational core value.

To close out 2020, Headlines is sharing examples of all of the Michigan Medicine core values: caring, integrity, innovation, inclusion and teamwork. In a challenging year, it’s important to recognize the work all of our faculty, staff and learners have done to contribute to the organization’s successes.

Recognizing the contributions employees make to the organization also helps the team to become more motivated, drives better teamwork and gives each individual a sense that they are an integral part of achieving organizational goals.

CARING

Logan Herbert, H.O., emergency medicine

I was recently seen in the ED as a patient and fortunately assigned to Dr. Herbert as my physician. He had the absolute best bedside manner, I didn’t feel rushed and he really listened to my concerns. I also felt confident in the tests and treatment plan he recommended. I am certain he is going to be a PHENOMENAL attending!

Kara Gavin, Department of Communication

Kara, when we asked you to take on the health system’s 150th anniversary, we could never have predicted you would be doing so in the midst of a pandemic. Yet, you still published compelling posts that marked this special year — while producing content related to COVID-19. You care so deeply about your work and Michigan Medicine, and it shows every day.  Thank you so much for everything you do!

Rebecca Brown, Chelsea Health Center

Becky, you care so much about your patients and coworkers! You are truly a wonderful person who puts others first. You make Chelsea successful with your hard work and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Thank you!

INTEGRITY

Kelli Rupard, research administration manager, internal medicine – gastroenterology

Kelli, in stormy times, you are a dependable, consistent partner in research whose superhuman command of detail is exceeded in strength only by your patience with the research faculty whose finances you oversee. Your excellence facilitates the research mission for which you are integral. Thank you!

Shawne Wisbiski, Revenue Cycle

Shawne, you consistently and thoughtfully investigate issues for our patients and families with recommendations for action in overcoming process barriers. Your insights are always valuable and your contributions immeasurable. I appreciate you!

Julie Clay, Kellogg Eye Center Canton

Julie, your efforts are incredible when it comes to managing two offices with thorough dedication to patients, doctors, colleagues and staff during such a difficult time. You keep everybody’s spirits high. Thank you!

INNOVATION

Paul Workman, C&W pharmacy

Paul has displayed great leadership for our C&W team. He took on a lot of evening staffing shifts to ensure pharmacists on our team could get adequate training in new areas and achieve their professional goals. In addition to this, he worked hard to continue progress on his leadership projects and has been really responsive and available when any pharmacy issues arise. Thank you, Paul! We appreciate your hard work, which definitely does not go unnoticed.

Tomiyo Wemert, Interpreter Services

During this holiday season, I would like to express my appreciation to you for everything you do for our Japanese speaking patients, families and staff and for our department as a whole. Your hidden table in the assignment tracking log made my life (and I’m sure the lives of other supervisors) much easier. Thank you for providing us with the useful data and amazing graphs. We are lucky to have you!

Vince LaRocca, ambulatory care pharmacy

Vince, thank you for all of your work on a recent drug shortage. Your innovative ideas for how to prevent even a drop of medication waste during this shortage is meaningful for our cancer patients. Your ability to think outside of the box never ceases to amaze!

INCLUSION

Ivan Co, M.D., emergency medicine

Ivan, thank you for the educational lectures provided to your nursing staff and always taking the time to thoroughly answer questions and walk us through the pathophysiology of a presentation. We are here to learn too — and you never forget that. You are appreciated.

Britney Jeannette, nuclear medicine technologist, C&W radiology

Britney has continued to promote a positive attitude in our department this entire year. She creates a monthly email every month recognizing colleague’s birthdays, and the messages are humorous and informative. She also coordinates an interactive bulletin board in our break room each month or season. When gathering together became less of an option, she started to think outside of the box and came up with ideas of individualized goodies we could enjoy among the staff.

TEAMWORK

Kyle Heckmar, Adam Schneider and Kimberly Worman, HITS

During a year of quick transformation and constant change for the Virtual Care Team, it has been more important than ever to have quick resolutions and carefully considered technical solutions to support Michigan Medicine. Adam, Kim and Kyle were a linchpin to our team’s success this year. Without complaint, and with complete engagement, they worked (and continue to work) diligently to find solutions for our various services and we are grateful.

Krystle Dellihue, Robert Johnson, Brenda Nimke, Carlee Neal and Alexis Okerstrom, Michigan Medicine Research – Clinical Trial Unit

I continue to be amazed at this team’s ability to adapt to changing and expanded workloads. Their ability to work as a team and help each other as well as their colleagues is a great thing to witness on a daily basis. I am proud to supervise this team of hardworking individuals!

Stephen Evans, Sarah Glazier, Maia Martinez, Fonda Richard, Teri Schott and Heather St. Amour, Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic

On behalf of the entire perinatal team, I would like to recognize the front desk staff in psychiatry for doing such a great job learning new processes and making sure our patients get scheduled in a timely manner. Keep up the hard work! Your effort does not go unnoticed.

Making a Difference awards can now be submitted through the new recognition site. Click here to send your colleague or a group of colleagues an award, or send an e-card to recognize a work milestone, birthday or just to send a simple ‘thank you.’