Making a Difference: Caring

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. 

This month, the core value of focus is caring: I will treat everyone with dignity, kindness and respect, promoting the well-being of self and others.

It is important to recognize the contributions employees make to the organization as it 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.

You matter, your work matters and you are appreciated. 

Here are this month’s caring submissions:

David Porta, Interpreter Services

David was interpreting for a patient who was very anxious about her testing. He held her hand during the test, reminding her to breathe and stay calm the whole time. The patient was able to complete the appointment with his encouragement. He went above and beyond!

Dustin Lozinski, R.N., Emergency Department

Dustin helped the spouse of a patient who was in critical condition be able to be at the bedside and say goodbye to them before they were rushed off to the catheter lab. He also showed compassion when speaking with the spouse and explaining what procedures were being done to the patient. Thanks for everything, Dustin!

Erica Breen, administrative assistant, Department of Radiology

Thank you, Erica, for working so hard to keep Brighton running smoothly. Your kindness and your willingness to help are amazing and I am grateful to have you on our team. Thank you for all that you do!

Greyson LaHousse, end user computing specialist, HITS BusIT Customer Service

Greyson, thank you so much for helping me with a Jabber. I really appreciate how you always take the time to help me with any issue. You rock!

Jodi Taylor, ultrasound technologist, C&W Radiology

Jodi took it upon herself to help outpatients get checked in for their radiology study on a Monday morning when there was no clerk available to do so. Thank you, Jodi! You are brave and courageous and one of the best lead techs in radiology. I’m very blessed to know you and I’m so happy you are working in C&W Radiology.

Lisa Giangardella, Pharm.D., Ambulatory Pharmacy

Dr. Giangardella goes above and beyond for the patients she cares for as a specialty pharmacist in the neurology clinics. She assisted a patient with obtaining coverage for a very expensive medication and spoke to the manufacturer, insurance and patient almost daily for two months to get the medication approved for the patient. This shows her dedication and drive to help patients obtain access to much-needed medications. It is inspirational to our entire team!

Raymond Dickson, patient services assistant, C&W Neuro/Oral/Plastic Surgery

Raymond, you deserve so much credit for how well you perform your job. You leave no stone unturned and I can trust patients will be looked after when they are with you. You catch problems ahead of time, communicate effectively and are always responsive. It really makes me feel secure knowing you’re on the other end when we pass along patient-related requests.

Matthew Luzum, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine and assistant professor of pediatrics

Thank you, Dr. Luzum, for all the work you did for helping to draft and edit the COMPASS reach out email, which hopefully will start to go out to providers who receive risk reports.  Thank you for caring for our providers and supporting them through this challenging work we do!

Tessie Senyk, registered nurse intern, CVC operating rooms

Tessie did a great job scrubbing a complex cardiac surgery case. She was engaged throughout, actively learning and didn’t get flustered. She had to adapt to unusual sequences because it was not a straightforward case — yet she handled it like a pro. The case went smoothly with her help. Thanks, Tessie, for making a difference!

Making a Difference awards can be submitted through the Michigan Medicine 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.”