Recognizing exceptional performance from non-clinical hospital teams
During the pandemic, everyone who works at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton has been taking on new tasks and pitching in where needed to help ensure the highest standards of patient care.
Distribution Department
Top: Ron Boyer, Director of Supply Chain; Joe Zeloof, Distribution; Steve Merrick, Distribution. Above left: Wayne McClinonn, Manager; Mark Moceri, Distribution. Above right: Doug Reynolds, Perioperative Buyer; Nanally Freeman, Perioperative. Not pictured: Nick Deo, Receiving.
The willingness of team members in the Distribution Department to go above and beyond their normal duties during the COVID-19 crisis has impressed Jean Buscaglia-Yurkiewicz, BSN, RN, CNOR, Clinical Resource Director, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. “All of the employees quickly learned how to do a new part of the job so they could help each other and the hospital,” she says.
Ron Boyer, Director of Supply Chain, runs the department. He makes sure he’s always accessible. “Ron’s staff can reach out to him days, night, weekends—anytime—and he’ll make sure to help them get whatever supplies they need for other hospital staff,” says Buscaglia-Yurkiewicz. The team works so well together that they’re usually ahead of the game, anticipating the supply needs of others in the hospital. “They’re the unsung heroes in the background, always making sure every floor, unit and station has the specific supplies they need.”
Emergency Department Registration
COVID-19 has made the Emergency Department, always a busy place, much more so. Fortunately, the team members who register patients as they come in have risen to the new demands of the job. “The team has stuck together through changes to the registration process that were sometimes happening hourly,” says Angelina Vargas, Director, Patient Access Services.
“They’ve been adapting quickly and keeping things moving,” she continues, “all the while continuing to provide excellent service to patients.” In addition, the team frequently contributes ideas for making the registration process easier and safer for everyone. In particular, Vargas would like to recognize Allison Hardwick, who has voluntarily taken on additional responsibilities during the pandemic.
“Without being asked, she’ll do extra things like take new employees on tours and make them ‘cheat sheets’ to remember everything they need to know,” says Vargas. “Allison has a positive attitude and offers a smile with everything she does. She’s the Energizer Bunny for the team, helping to keep everyone aware of issues and new developments.”