In June 2018, Ann Scanlon McGinity, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, joined the organization as chief nurse executive.

Recently, McGinity sat down with Headlines to discuss her first six months on campus and what has stood out the most to her since she began working with colleagues across Michigan Medicine.

Here’s what she had to say:

Q: You came to the organization from Houston Methodist Hospital, where you spent more than a decade in a leadership role. What drove you to join Michigan Medicine?

ASM: What brought me to the organization from Houston was simple: It was Michigan Medicine’s nationally-recognized excellence in care, research and education.

Care here is driven by talented nurses who are respected for their knowledge, innovation and contributions to interprofessional teams. They are a group that are looked upon as leaders for their diversity of thought. I believe the partnerships our nurses have with their colleagues speaks to the fact that our best days for discovery and transforming care is occurring now and I am grateful to be a part of that talented team.

Q: In your first few months at Michigan Medicine, what has stood out to you the most?

ASM: It’s certainly the generosity and helpfulness of all of our staff to help integrate me into the Michigan community. The energy and pride of our staff and their openness to look toward the future and to be leaders in advancing great patient care resonates with my beliefs and vision.

Q: What are you most excited about as you look to the future?

ASM: I am most excited to work with teams who are creative, critical thinkers and who are in the pursuit of excellence. Everyone I have met is passionate about the work they do and the voice they have in innovating and working together to discover new ways to address the needs of our patients and families. We all make up a future-oriented organization and our teams are passionate about designing the future.

Q: What challenges do you foresee when it comes to the evolution and growth of the organization’s nursing practice?

ASM: The biggest challenge I see today regarding the evolution and growth of our nursing practice is finding ways to harness and include all the voices of our clinicians.

The future of nursing lies with hearing the voice and ideas of all of our nurses who day-by-day see and understand ways to improve care. My focus in these early few months has been to meet as many of our nurses as possible, hear their stories and discover ways to best communicate and engage them and their ideas in designing our future.

Q: What hobbies and interests do you enjoy outside of work?

ASM: I enjoy being the best mom, wife, grandma, sister and mother-in-law I can be to my wonderful family. Showing up for them is my top priority. I also love traveling, hiking, exploring, playing piano, going to the theater and learning and doing new things outside of my comfort zone.

Employees across Michigan Medicine continue to make a difference and inspire colleagues through their hard work and dedication. Recognizing the contributions employees make to the organization 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.

Here are just a few examples of how faculty and staff helped Michigan Medicine provide exceptional care and service last month:

Peer recognition

Leah Xu, BI analyst senior, Health Information Technology & Services

Leah makes a difference by always striving to give the customer her best. She is timely and thorough and has exceeded expectations on every project that I’ve worked with her on. I feel fortunate to have her as a colleague supporting the Resolute MiChart team. Thank you, Leah, for always walking the extra mile and ensuring customers have a wonderful solution!

Mark Norris, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases, pediatrics-cardiology

The care and attention to detail Dr. Norris provides all of his patients is astounding. Recently, when he was serving as the attending physician, he got on the floor during rounds to play with a patient. Thank you for reminding us that these kids exist outside of our walls, and sometimes they just need someone to get on the floor and play trucks with them!

Michael Korona, registered dietitian nutritionist, Patient Food & Nutrition Services

Mike is a rising star at Michigan Medicine. On a daily basis, he provides expertise and support to the surgical ICU staff. The patients benefit greatly from his efforts to provide the best contemporary nutritional support. Mike also deserves recognition for the extra effort he puts when it comes to educating critical care fellows. He independently created a curriculum and takes the time to customize each rotation depending on the interest/career path of each fellow. His dedication to his patients and education make him an exemplary employee and reflects great credit upon the institution.

Holli Clewis, clinical care coordinator, nursing, 11W cardiothoracic

Holli, recently a family would not stop talking about how much they love and appreciated you taking some time out of your day to try and make their patient smile. This patient has had a really rough course and your kindness did not go unnoticed! They especially appreciated that you have daughters around her age so you knew exactly what would make her happy (the sunshine!)

Renee Hartert and Sandra Neesam, patient services associates, dermatology

Renee and Sandra, you make an impact in our clinic by spreading positivity with your upbeat personalities. You clearly care about the people you work with in your desire to inform and encourage us all in so many positive ways. Thank you for making Domino’s Farms Dermatology a great place to work!

Family to staff

George Goettler, registered nurse, 5D SICU

I would like to say that this man is the most amazing nurse. He went above and beyond his duties to care for my brother, by comforting him and assuring him that he could do anything. The care he displayed during the time my brother was there is unmatched — I have never seen that kind of love and compassion from a health care professional. We went through the most tragic situation imaginable and I don’t think we would have ever gotten through it without him.

Vincent Scheuher, registered nurse, CVC 4 ICU

Vinnie took excellent care of my dad. He was so calm and in control and always ready to figure out any complication. He took time to really listen to my father and try to figure out how to best treat or comfort him. Our family had lots of questions and he was always kind and patient with us. We are thankful he was my dad’s nurse.

Patient to staff

Amelia Reese, pharmacy technician

In recent months, I have been repeatedly impressed by Amelia’s professionalism, knowledge and demeanor. Her approach means everyone in line typically becomes understanding and calm. I am always glad when she is at the pharmacy and know I will get what I need quickly, efficiently and with excellent customer service. Thank you!

Judy Jones, patient entrance attendant

When people are feeling ill, it’s nice to have a friendly face to greet you. For me, Judy was kind and very helpful with my wheelchair and helping me get in and out of my car. Judy’s smile and warm service made my visit so much easier. Both Judy and the other entrance attendant working with her were outstanding! Thank you for all that you do.

Click here to nominate a colleague or team who makes a difference at Michigan Medicine!

Happy Friday — reward yourself for getting through the week by taking a look back at some of the featured stories at Headlines!

Speaking of rewards, MHealthy informed readers about its annual Rewards program, which gives employees a chance to learn about their health and earn up to $220 in the process. Also this week, two departments relayed how they have found employee engagement success; faculty and staff shared their new year’s resolutions for 2019; and Headlines previewed the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. symposium.

In case you missed anything, here’s the latest:

Learn about your health and earn up to $220 with MHealthy Rewards

All Michigan Medicine employees are eligible for a free on-site wellness screening, thanks to the 2019 MHealthy Rewards program. Those who participate in the screenings, and fill out a quick health questionnaire, will earn $100 — with another $120 available to go toward a fitness center membership. Click here for details!

Departments provide blueprint for employee engagement success

At the Canton rehab therapy clinic, faculty and staff are involved in every decision, ranging from hiring to program development to what kind of music is played in the gym. In the Quality Department, there is a visual management system in place to keep employees engaged and aware of how they fit into the department’s bigger picture. Learn more about these areas at Michigan Medicine and how they keep their employees engaged!

New goals in the new year: Employees show off their resolutions for 2019

One Michigan Medicine employee aims to set a personal record at the Berlin Marathon later this year. Another is attempting to become more familiar with the Ann Arbor arts and culture scene, while a third is committed to offering a meaningful smile to the patients that they see each day. Check out what a number of your colleagues have adopted as their new year’s resolutions! 

Help ‘unravel’ strands of inequality during 2019 MLK Symposium

Beginning Monday, and lasting through the end of the month, faculty and staff have an opportunity to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Among the highlights of the university’s annual MLK Symposium are a keynote address to be given by author and educator Tim Wise and Detroit school principal and writer Julia Putnam, and a health sciences lecture to be delivered by Jacquelyn Taylor, Ph.D., R.N., PNP-BC, FAHA, FAAN. Click through for information on these activities and many more!

Want to stay in the know on the go? Check out the latest edition of The Wrap at the top of the page!

This week, the university will celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during its annual MLK Symposium.

The week will be filled with speeches, panel discussions, film screenings and more that seek to honor the life and work of Dr. King.

This year’s theme is “Unravel,” calling on community members to continue the work of the civil rights movement. It was a time when King and others sought to “unravel America’s social fabric in order to tease out the ideals of justice and freedom that were being strangled by the strands of racist and sexist exploits of labor,” said Lumas Helaire, associate director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives at U-M.

The campus events will be highlighted by the annual memorial keynote lecture, given by author and educator Tim Wise and Detroit school principal and writer Julia Putnam. The pair will speak, and then host a moderated discussion, at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21 at Hill Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. At the same time, a watch party featuring a livestream of the keynote lecture will be held in the Frankel Cardiovascular Center’s Danto Auditorium.

There are a number of other activities at Michigan Medicine throughout the week, as well.

For instance, the 29^th annual MLK Health Sciences Lecture will be given by Jacquelyn Taylor, Ph.D., R.N., PNP-BC, FAHA, FAAN, who will discuss steps she has taken in her research career using genomic and environmental methods to unravel hypertension health disparities in African American women. Her talk will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21 in Dow Auditorium.

Other important activities during the MLK celebration across campus include:

• 13^th annual Circle of Unity event: 3 p.m., Monday, Jan. 21, The Diag

• Race in Media Symposium: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 21, Kalamazoo Room, Michigan League

• Rackham student TED-style talks: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 22, Rackham Building Amphitheatre

• Diversity ‘café’ discussion: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23, North Dome, Arbor Lakes

• Lecture by James Forman Jr., “Locking up our own: Crime and punishment in Black America”: 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, 1010 Weiser Hall (500 Church St., Ann Arbor)

• MLK Lecture by Mabel O. Wilson: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25, Art and Architecture Building Auditorium

• “The Color of Fear” film screening and discussion: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30, Space 2435 North Quad (105 S. State St., Ann Arbor)

• Discussion on political etiologies in health care: 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, Forum Hall, Palmer Commons

For a complete list of symposium events, click here.

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With 2019 underway, faculty and staff have adopted new goals and embarked on new initiatives to improve their well-being and work habits.

Here’s a quick glance at just a few of the employees who sent Headlines their new year’s resolutions and won a great prize, including Michigan Medicine swag.

If you’re among the following submissions, the Department of Communication will reach out shortly to help you claim your prize!

Sheena Riley, patient care technician

This year, I’m attempting to be more consciously present. I find that — especially in the medical field — we are consistently on the go. While most of the time it is necessary, we often don’t pause when we have the chance to do so. Even if during my shift, I stop every four hours and focus on my breathing for 30 seconds, it can make an incredible difference.

Weena Ekechukwu, HITS affiliate, obstetrics and gynecology

My new year’s resolution is to become more familiar with Ann Arbor’s arts and culture scene, as well as the surrounding locations.

Center for Interprofessional Education

The U-M Center for Interprofessional Education staff resolves to keep all that “winning team” momentum going, after our stellar first-ever 1,200-student/100-faculty IPE in Action event at Crisler Center. That’s what it will take to continue to build a truly collaborative culture across the health science schools at U-M — we’re all about teamwork!

Teresa White, R.N., Rogel Cancer Center

I plan to lose weight and become MHealthy in the new year!

Winnie Wong, IT project manager, Health Information Technology & Services

In 2019, I resolve to achieve a personal record at the Berlin Marathon!

Margaret Ramsay, patient services intermediate

In this time of new responsibilities and life changes, my resolution is to continue to breathe, offer a meaningful smile to our patients, families and staff, and remember that we are all human. I also wish peace to those in turmoil, relief to those who suffer and hope for those who feel burdened. I wish for an understanding calm to come over us all.

Nicole Watkins, CVC ICU clerk

This year, I will get the body and mindset I have been longing for. And I’ll do it by working hard and staying focused on my goals!

Nancy Burke, dietitian senior

My new year’s resolution is to reconnect with old friends from the past (high school/college/internship etc…) by sending each of them a birthday card. I hope to send along a note letting them know, despite many years and many miles that may separate us, that I still think of them and cherish the memories we made together.

Kertina Kimbrough, administrative assistant senior

I am going to spend more time being physically fit and active and participate in as many fun activities with my family and friends that I can!

Kiela Samuels, Pharm.D., allergy immunotherapy pharmacist

My goal is to “be intentional” in everything I do! 2019 will also be a year of action, when I will:

• Have the courage to face difficult challenges

• Create good habits that lead to positive life changes

• Cultivate meaningful relationships with friends and family

• Make new “daily” resolutions happen

Here’s to a great 2019!

The Quality Continuous Improvement team huddles together at a recent meeting.

For the past several months, areas across Michigan Medicine have been working hard to improve their work environment and enhance employee engagement. The efforts come on the heels of the 2018 Employee Engagement Survey, which provided vital feedback on how leadership can make the organization a better place to work and heal.

With this year’s survey only a few months away, here’s a look at two areas that received high marks for employee engagement — and the tactics they are using to continue that success.

‘Visualizing’ the future

One key area targeted for improvement organizationwide was communication between leaders and employees.

In the Quality Department, that has been a key initiative for some time. In fact, walking through the Quality Department’s office can be overwhelming for an outsider — much of the wall space has been taken over by visual management tracking systems to help teams stay on schedule with projects.

“All of our teams are experimenting with different visual management techniques to improve transparency of projects and better track key deadlines,” said Linnea Chervenak, M.H.A., senior director of quality. “Our leadership team decided to take those principles and apply them to our overall department goals — which includes improving engagement — as a way to transparently share progress with our staff.”

Staff members pose in front of a wall that contains Quality’s three-year strategic objectives.

One office wall is dedicated entirely to tracking the department’s three-year strategic objectives. As seen in the accompanying image, the wall includes employee engagement and is tracking the overall engagement index score as well as staff retention rates. Individual teams keep track of activities tied directly to the action plans submitted to HR.

“Adding employee engagement information to the visual management boards gives staff members a way to hold us accountable and provide feedback on projects and ideas that we are implementing,” said Chervenak.

Feedback helps team give back

Following the 2018 survey, the Quality Department held a “mini hackathon” as a way to gather staff member’s input on how to increase the department’s engagement score. Many ideas came out the hackathon, including the establishment of the Quality Cares committee. The goal of this staff-driven group is to identify opportunities for the department to give back to the community.

In the six months since the group was established they have led several successful initiatives, including:

• A blanket-making drive for patients in the Rogel Cancer Center

• Volunteering at a community garden in Detroit

• A donation drive to help animals in need at the Huron Valley Humane Society

• Adopting a family in need during the holiday season

• Gathering donations and supplies for the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County

Collaboration leads to success

Quality isn’t the only area of the organization that reaches out to all employees to help make important decisions and carry teams into the future.

In the Canton rehabilitation therapy clinic, everyone is involved in decisions, ranging from hiring to program development to what kind of music is played in the gym. Leaders also regularly meet with employees to learn about changes that need to be made, which maintains a high level of engagement.

The Canton rehab therapy clinic.

“We are really more of a family than we are a team, respecting and helping each other in all that we do,” said William Farr, manager of the clinic. “And that comes from a culture that was created long ago by our previous manager Chris Magnant, who is now leading all physical, occupational and recreational therapy programs within Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine.”

To Farr, it is critical that Canton leadership stays hands-off but supportive.

“Our employees don’t need to look over their shoulder, meaning they have the freedom to do what they do best,” Farr said. “At the same time, we encourage them to come to us with issues and we will do what we can to eliminate barriers and help them go further, both in the care they provide and in their careers.”

For instance, the clinic never used to offer aquatic therapy as there is no pool on site. However, employees noticed a need among patients and the leadership team explored ways to make it happen by partnering with MedSport colleagues at Domino’s Farms, which has a pool. Now, several patients receive aquatic therapy each week. This type of organic growth is also exemplified in neuro-rehabilitation, orthopedic, spine, hand, pelvic floor, vestibular and cancer rehab programs in Canton.

Finally, staff also gets support when it comes to continuing education.

“We encourage our team members to become experts in different types of therapy,” Farr said. “All that we are able to accomplish in our clinic is possible thanks to our division leadership, as well as the engaged and collaborative culture that we carry out every day.”

The next employee engagement survey will take place April 1-12. Stay tuned to Headlines as more information is rolled out.

MHealthy has kicked off its annual Rewards program, designed to help you learn about your health and choose healthy behaviors.

Open to benefits-eligible faculty and staff, MHealthy Rewards 2019 includes two simple actions:

• Attend an on-site wellness screening

• Complete the 2019 health questionnaire

Wellness screenings available near you

The 20-minute confidential wellness screening appointment includes measuring your blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol, height and weight. No fasting is required.

You will also meet one-on-one with a health coach to review your results and set an action plan for 2019. The university has again partnered with The StayWell Company, LLC and TotalWellness to ensure screening results are private and confidential.

Wellness screenings are available now through April 26 at Michigan Medicine locations, including University Hospital, the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, KMS, Kellogg Eye Center, and many health centers.

Most appointments are held Monday through Friday, but there are also weekend and late evening appointments available.

A quick health questionnaire 

The confidential health questionnaire, available now through April 26, takes about five minutes to complete and helps you annually reflect on your overall well-being and consider what health areas to work on.

Access the questionnaire by logging into the StayWell Portal from the MHealthy Rewards website.

To ensure the confidentiality of the information collected within the Rewards program, U-M is partnering with StayWell, TotalWellness and IncentFit.

 How to earn up to $220

Complete both the wellness screening and health questionnaire by April 26 to earn $100. If you complete the StayWell health questionnaire, you will alsoqualify for a fitness center membership reimbursement up to $120.

To learn more about Rewards, visit the MHealthy Rewards website.

Start the year off right by getting caught up with the Headlines Week in Review!

This week, readers took a look back at the last month, when faculty and staff carried out festive activities to spread some holiday cheer to patients and their families.

Employees also learned how it pays to work for Michigan Medicine, as they got a complete rundown of exclusive discounts available to them, and Headlines shared information about digital signs located around the organization — and how they serve as a tool to communicate with colleagues. Finally, Health Information Technology & Services detailed its unique apprenticeship program for aspiring IT professionals.

In case you missed anything, here’s the latest:

Spreading good cheer: Employees help patients, families celebrate the holidays

The holidays can leave patients feeling particularly isolated and vulnerable if they are spending time in the hospital. That’s why faculty and staff stepped up across the organization to make the season as bright as possible. From hosting a toy store at Mott to passing out poinsettia plants to adult inpatients, learn how holiday cheer was shared throughout the month of December.

Cool deals for the cold weather: Check out exclusive discounts for faculty, staff

Even as the temperature drops, Michigan Medicine employees have plenty of reasons to think winter is cool. That’s because they are eligible for exclusive discounts and perks at area businesses and attractions, including skiing at Mt. Brighton. Further from home, faculty and staff can escape the cold and get reduced rates on vacations to Disney World, Universal Studios and other top destinations. Click for details!

Signs of the times: Digital signs help employees stay in the know

You’ve probably noticed them as you walk around Michigan Medicine — television screens in high-traffic areas with important messages for faculty and staff. But do you know the background of the digital signs and how to take advantage of the new communication tool? Find out all about the project, which is already enhancing the employee experience!

HITS offers apprenticeship program for aspiring IT professionals

Health Information Technology & Services is breaking ground with its new apprenticeship program for aspiring IT professionals. The program — which harkens back to the days of apprenticeships in the skilled trades — serves as a partnership with Washtenaw Community College. Click through to learn more about the program, which is described as a “new approach to a more modern job.”

Want to stay in the know on the go? Check out the latest edition of The Wrap at the top of the page!

Lousayni Benson was one of the first hires made by Michigan Medicine’s new Service Desk Apprenticeship Program.

Apprenticeships are typically associated with the skilled trades. For instance, you might first think of a plumber or electrician apprentice. Or maybe a welder or carpenter.

But that convention is changing, and a recent apprenticeship program created by Michigan Medicine and Washtenaw Community College to help attract and train aspiring information technology professionals is advancing the cause.

Michigan Medicine’s recently-launched Service Desk Apprenticeship Program pays entry-level candidates to serve a one-year apprenticeship in front-line technology support, receiving extensive on-the-job training and formal technical coursework at WCC in the process. Five new apprentices joined the program earlier this week.

At the end of the program, apprentices receive a U.S. Department of Labor journeyman’s card, earn a 16-credit Computer Systems Technology certificate from WCC and emerge with a deep knowledge of the IT architecture of a world-renowned medical center. The WCC coursework is paid for by the program.

“Our apprenticeship programs are still primarily focused on manufacturing, but it’s really spreading out into all different areas,” said Marilyn Donham, WCC’s dean of apprenticeships. “IT apprenticeships aren’t brand new, but Michigan Medicine was the first organization that asked my team to help them create one.”

Expanding apprenticeships to more occupations has become a popular suggestion for creating career opportunities for individuals and closing the skills gap that hinders employers from finding qualified candidates.

Exploring different ways to find job candidates is what led Jarrod Sandel to WCC.

Sandel manages the Service Desk for Michigan Medicine’s Health Information Technology & Services (HITS). The Service Desk is responsible for handling more than 250,000 IT-related contacts (calls, online submissions and walk-ins) each year while operating in an industry that averages 40-percent annual turnover.

“Apprenticeship has been a proven model for hundreds of years,” Sandel said, noting that the training model dates back to the days of blacksmiths and leather workers. “This is not a new concept. It’s just a novel, new approach to a more modern job.”

Lousayni Benson is an apprentice who was recently hired full-time from the program. The 29-year-old Detroit native moved back to Michigan after working at an Amazon distribution center in Ohio, where he was exposed to some IT-related work that interested him.

“I wanted to complete my education, but I also needed a job,” Benson said. “When I saw this job placement at Michigan Medicine, it was basically like going back to school and having it paid for. Finishing this program was a great accomplishment.”

And, considering the impetus for Sandel to create the program in the first place, career advancement opportunities aren’t likely going to be an issue for the apprentices.

“It’s hard to keep people because they become familiar with a broad collection of technology and become super attractive for other people both in my IT department and in other IT departments across southeast Michigan,” Sandel said. “To try to keep people in these seats is very difficult and to be able to provide a program that helps to retain them was even more difficult. So, creating this program was the right choice for us and the right choice for the organization. We’re excited for our new group of apprentices and excited to see where the program goes from here.”