We are thankful for all our health care heroes. Here’s a summary of shout outs featured in the Daily Updates from April 16-22 and our favorite video of the week – and our favorite video being talked about by Gov. Andy Beshear!
Thanks to these awesome UofL Health team members who are doing extraordinary things during this time of crisis:
4/16/20 (THURSDAY)
• I would like to give a huge “shout out” to ULP Orthopedic office in Shelbyville. The entire staff has done an incredible job adjusting to all the changes and implementing telehealth into our practice. Dr. Duffee has navigated through the whole process of the telehealth visits in order to provide his patients and the Shelbyville community the best orthopedic care he can give them. There have been so many changes every day, yet, my staff has adjusted and still managed to get patients taken care of. I am proud of each and every one of them.
• This is a very difficult time for all us, for those of us born in the United States, a first time experiencing such devastation leading to hopelessness and fear of the unknown. As a result, our chaplain services, here at UofL, has become a team that we have become to depend, and they have not failed us. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for all the support and faith expressed to our unit. Each day the chaplains extend their ministry to the 3North staff members offering their support, inquiring about the well-being of our staff members for they know what it means and what it takes to come to a setting such as this and continue to strive to provide the upmost care, not only attempts to stay safe personally but to deliver safe and outstanding care to our patients. We are submitting this “shout out” to the UofL Chaplain Services in our appreciation for what you do to support us on a daily basis to help us stay strong and diligent as we fight the fight together.
• I wanted to give a shout out to the CT staff at Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, particularly Alicia Thomas, Amanda Hite and Jessica Kerchner. As soon as we started scanning more possible COVID patients, these guys had a plan in place. They took out any extra equipment from the scan rooms and off the counter tops. They also planned out one staff member stayed in “isolation” while the tech stayed “clean” and did the scan in the control room. This cut down on cross contamination and reduced the use of more PPE. They carefully clean the scan rooms and tech areas after each patient. Their preparation and thoughtfulness is much appreciated in these unusual times. I wanted to also add that all the CT and Imaging staff has done a great job during this time.
• Thank you to our marketing team for all you are doing. I appreciate each update you all send out to not only myself but the whole organization.
4/17/20 (FRIDAY)
• I want to give a shout out to all of the Education staff across the system. They have been working tirelessly in the background to put together materials, plans and education related to the pandemic. They have drafted new workflows, new processes and are conducting simulation and education to ensure that our staff is prepared for what may come. I am constantly humbled by the abilities of this team, but never more than in these past few weeks!
• The ULH housekeepers want to send a shout out to so many of the ULH staff. From nursing units such as 9 West, 8 West, the ED, and Cardio, to nursing education and engineering. The entire department has been overwhelmed by the many different expressions of gratitude, and by so many others pitching in to help make sure the facility is staying clean and disinfected for our patients and staff. It takes an entire tribe to keep everyone safe, and the ULH staff are really responding to the call! We appreciate you all!!
• I want to acknowledge the staff in the entire lab. As the world watches the front lines, the director, all the way down to the phlebotomists, have been putting in some long and very stressful days. Everyone is pitching in to help each other out as testing starts to flow to the lab. Our phlebotomists are on the front line and visit our patients multiple times a day, always with a smile . . . behind their mask. The lab is honored to serve our community.
• I want to give a shout out to the Phlebotomy teams at all locations. They are front line staff who are consistently showing up to collect lab specimens day after day. While Lab is often behind the scenes, the phlebotomy team is front and center- the face of the laboratory if you will. The phlebotomy staff have risen to the challenge during this crisis, not shying away from performing their job and serving our patients by assuring their lab specimens are collected in a timely and safe manner. They are truly “Unseen Healthcare Heroes” Thank you for a job well done.
4/20/20 (MONDAY)
• Here’s a shout out to UofL Health! April 1 came and went, and with our focus on COVID-19, we didn’t get to acknowledge UofL Health’s 6 month birthday!
• U of L Cardiology Associates (formerly Louisville Heart Specialists) would like to give a shot out to our manager Renae Gagnon. She always has her team’s best interest at heart and goes the extra mile to make sure that we are informed and functioning at our best. The covid crisis has only exemplified the dedication she has for her team and physicians. One example of this is the covid huddles that she holds daily, to update the team with current information shared on the many conference calls she participates in. Another example is the strategic planning and implementation done, to keep the team safe and our patient care excellent. She is always appreciative of all we do and is always boosting moral among the team members by the little things she says and does. We love you Renae.
• I must recognize and give a “Shout Out” for David Buckel. David is our “Integration” person on the ULP IT team. His work on the “IT” side of our COVID-19 testing and resulting, has been critical! Dave has devoted many long hours to make sure these results are getting back correctly. Kudos to Dave and other unseen heroes that work so hard to make our technology work through this difficult time!
• I want to also give a shout out to the Microbiology Lab Staff at University Hospital. They have worked tirelessly to bring in-house COVID-19 testing to U of L. Thru the logistics of obtaining test kits, needed supplies, validation of new methodologies this staff has remained dedicated and passionate about their work. Thank you for all you have done for our Hospital and Community!
4/21/20 (TUESDAY)
• I want to give a shout out to two of my OSC nurses that without hesitation volunteered to work on the Covid unit at 8 South. These two exemplify what nurses/healthcare workers do when called to help to care for the sick. They are selflessly giving of them selves to help others to have a good outcome. They are Heather Cranmer and Nina Rodahaffer.
• Like to do a shout out to all of the primary care office’s that continue to do inpatient as well as telehealth.
• The engineering staff at M&E are amazing! Anything that is needed they are quick to respond; whether it is building PPE cubbies, installing negative air machines, building ante rooms, or helping to set up tent triage. There is no way that we could succeed without their talent and dedication! They are a small but mighty team. They are all are my heroes!
• I would like to give a HUGE Shout out to the ALL of the Revenue Cycle Department! The team having to split and work from home and in the office has been challenging. But, everyone is doing their part to get the claims out the door and the money in!
4/22/20 (WEDNESDAY)
• BIG shout out to the managers and staff in the emergency department for being flexible and accepting of the daily changes we are having to make. As a team we can get through anything!
• I would like to give a shout out to a manager at U of L Peace. Sherhonda Is manager of nursing services and was a floor nurse on 1 East before that. Sherhonda not only does a wonderful job being manager of nursing services, she also is there for employees, checking on them to see if there ok during this pandemic. She is a wonderful and caring person to everyone she meets. We are very lucky to have her at U of L Peace.
• I would like to give a SHOUT OUT to Susan Asher, Joseph Smith, and David Houvenagle for stepping up to assist patients on our isolation units. These Social Workers have gone above and beyond to meet the needs of our patients in isolation and to find creative ways to help address their ongoing mental health symptoms. They have volunteered to assist these patients and are true role models for all behavioral health clinicians. Thank you!
• I want to give a shout out to Brenda Wulf from Supply Chain. She has always been there to get whatever supplies that any of the offices are in need of but at this time she is has gone above and beyond. She is keeping the offices stocked with the supplies that we need to provide services to the community. We appreciate all of her hard work.
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.
