We are thankful for all our health care heroes. Here’s a summary of shout outs featured in the Daily Updates from April 9-15 and our favorite video of the week.
Check out this special message to the UofL Health team from Mayor Greg Fischer.
Thanks to these awesome UofL Health team members who are doing extraordinary things during this time of crisis:
April 9
• I was pulled to the COVID unit for the first time last week at Mary & Elizabeth. There was a 4th floor charge RN, a fill in 5th floor charge RN AND 5 more RN’s. All of us were “first timers,” except for one nurse, Millicent, who is normally charge RN on 2A. Through the chaos of learning things for the first time, she told us to call out vitals from the room and she would chart them. She volunteered to get blood consents. She helped with bed changes and meds even though she had to gown up with PPE for each room. She offered help to a nurse, like myself, who she wouldn’t be able to recognize even without the mask and hairnet. I had never met her before, but I was so thankful to have such a funny, upbeat and helpful personality by our sides that night.
• Safaa Boukdir from Mobile medical equipment is always going above and beyond to make the next shifts’ job a bit easier. She will communicate with nurses when a problem arises and make sure they get what they need in a timely manner.
• I would like to give a shout out to Shelli Scott, U of L preoperative services manager. Even with being pulled in a million different directions, she always takes the time multiple times a day to update staff with information, takes the time to listen to staff concerns, and helps alleviate those concerns any way she can! Thank you Shelli for all that you do!
• Shout out to the Talent Acquisition Specialists & TA Manager! Recruiters, your hard work never goes unnoticed. We are working around the clock to ensure we are getting the right people in our facilities to care for our patients. Such an honor to be a part of a great team!
April 10
• I would like to recognize Rachel Tindall at ULP FPAN on her outstanding leadership, knowledge and always going above and beyond to make sure our office runs as smooth as possible.
• Shout out to my ED team at Shelbyville! They have handled an immense amount of change and remain engaged through the process by providing critical input, working together as a team, and managing it all with caring and compassion for each other, and our patients. Thank you for all your hard work!
• William Tobin from Supply Chain is a bright light in the organization. He is always ready with a smile and a hello. There are some days that his hugs (before Covid-19) were the best part of day. Even now, he acknowledges everyone and embodies the “Be kind” motto. William’s heart is evident to everyone who encounters him.
• I wish to acknowledge the dedication and excellent work of our Brown Cancer Center Social Workers. They are always up to the challenge but with the hardship that COVID-19 has placed on our already stressed cancer patients, our Social Workers have gone above and beyond. Patient’s minor needs have now become emergent. Not only are our patients dealing with the fear of becoming ill, as they are immune-compromised, several now have out of work caregivers. Dimitra Esters, Kim Williams, Sandra Krekel, and Laura Jones are much appreciated and are truly our “Heroes”.
April 13
• I would like to give a shout out to Dr. Kerri Remmel with UofL Adult Neurology Department for a job well done. Even though she is not able to be here in the office she has gone above and beyond for our patients. She has offered to see any patient that needs to be seen in our department. It has been so great for our patients not having to reschedule or cancel their appointments if their physician is unavailable to see them during this time. She really has stepped up to help us and our patients get through this time of need. I feel stronger now than I did before, just having that weight taken off our shoulders knowing are patient will be taken care of, and we are going to get through this together. Thank you Dr. Remmel!
• Shout out to all the Mental Health Techs at Peace Hospital that show up each day and night for our patients! These are very different experiences for our teams and I am very proud to see how strong they really are! GO Peace MHTs!
• I would like to give a shout out to the Patient Access Center; they are very unseen heroes who man the phones for ULP every single day working to get patients scheduled with their providers in a time of ever changing protocols. They have transitioned to working remotely and using an entirely different method of making and receiving calls without a telephone and have not missed a single beat. Our motto at the Access Center is to “Provide prompt and convenient access to quality care while providing exceptional customer service” and this team has delivered! We have also successfully initiated, navigated, and staffed the CoVid-19 Triage line and scheduling line. These folks deserve a pat on the back!
• Megan Middleton, IVR ARNP, was asked by her church what they could do to help. She let them know that radiology has been working very hard on the front line, behind the scenes. She let them know that we could use a treat. They are catering lunch for us tomorrow! We are so excited to be thought of! It is nice to be thought of.
April 14
• I would like to give a shout out to the infection control team across the system. They have done an incredible job at coordinating the ever changing information and getting information out to our staff. They are answering questions all day, every day, and are working tirelessly to make sure our patients and staff have what they need. We are extremely lucky to have such a great group looking after us.
• Shoutout to Sherri Ryan, BSN, RN, MBA—Office Manager of Restorative Neuroscience! She has been a pivotal leader during such a trying time! Being in a leadership role can be so difficult! Especially while dealing with personal emotions and keeping employees at ease! She has been so supportive and encouraging! Even offering to go back to bedside if the needs arise! Leadership is often a thankless job and she has continued to shine in the midst of a global pandemic. There are no words to express how much she means to us, as well as all of UofL Health!
• Shout out to Beverly Hart in the UofL Hospital Hep C Center for helping us through recent staffing changes on top of the substantial rescheduling needs due to coronavirus. Bev has gone above and beyond her role of medical assistant. She is covering that role, plus roles of receptionist, scheduler, and clinic coordinator. She has learned new skills with work queues in Cerner, and who knows what else with our registration software. Change is hard, but she is handling it with grace! THANK YOU for sticking with us during this challenging time. You are awesome! Our clinic could not function without you.
• Jennifer Stern Manager of 1 East U of L Peace Hospital Jennifer is always training new managers or taking on another unit till they find a manager. All the while being there for her unit. Checking on her staff and being there for us. Jennifer is such a team player and a wonderful leader. We are lucky to have such a wonderful manager.
April 15
• I would like to give a shout out and a huge thank you to the many employees who are working at the entry Screening Tables. They often have to deal with difficult situations, telling people that they are not able to visit with a loved one. They check each person entering our buildings and navigate many concerns and issues. They deal with people who are angry, crying, insistent, and stand strong and compassionate in dealing with these situations. There are situations that cause their hearts to break and they stand strong and do what is right to protect our staff and patients. Not an easy task by any means. Thank you for all you do!
• I appreciated hearing Dr. Furman on WFPL’s In Conversation with Rick Howlett last week. She took time out of a busy schedule to share her expertise on COVID-19’s effect on Geriatric Medicine.
• Shout out to the Employee Health team for caring for our HCWs during this challenging time! Thanks to your hard work over numerous employees have been referred for follow up, and even though guidelines are constantly changing, you continue to educate our staff/leaders with the latest information. Proud to be part of this awesome team!
• Wanting to compliment one of your employees, Andrew, for his above and beyond performance today with security. As a door screener, I was very thankful to have him working alongside me. My fellow screeners all agreed. He was very helpful with directing patients and contacting people throughout the hospital along with keeping
Are you seeing co-workers turn into health care heroes during this time of crisis? Give them a “shout out” so we can all recognize their extraordinary actions. Simply email marketing@uoflhealth.org with their name, department and how they are making a difference. Be sure to note “Shout Out” in the subject line.
