Caring, competent, collaborative, innovative, and trustworthy: these are the values we ask you to demonstrate as you carry out our mission in your work.
In the month of December, we have 12 team members being recognized as Employees of the Month for consistently being their best for our patients and their co-workers.
Employee of the Month recognizes the people you love to work with. The winners exhibit Kettering Health’s Standards of Behavior, live out our values, and demonstrate the healing presence practices outlined in Called to Care.
Thank you for impacting the lives of those in our community by fulfilling our mission. Our work wouldn’t be possible without you!
Continue reading to see the December Employees of the Month nomination stories and photos.
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being caring and collaborative in her work
“As a new Kettering Health employee this year, I was nervous and excited to embark on this journey. Being new to remote work, I was unsure of the connections I would make. One of my early interactions with Jen stuck out immediately. She works hard every day to collaborate with other team members and share her knowledge. She actively participates in chats and always stops to provide information and insight to help others solve issues. She personally reached out to me early on to help assist with my work. Jen also focuses on the people around her and always looks for a way to help. In the few short months that I’ve been in the department, she has coordinated collecting money, shopping, and delivery of Boss’s Day gifts. She also coordinated collecting money, shopping, and dropping off school supplies and bookbags for Kettering Health’s backpack program. She deserves employee of the month because she is able to reach others and live the Kettering Health mission in a remote environment, which can be a difficult task.”
“Jennifer is compassionate and treats everyone with dignity and respect. She represents the department with professionalism during peer interviews and has gained respect from her co-workers. Jennifer participates in the Shooting Stars program and is inclusive and collaborative, often seeking ways to engage with her remote work peers in meaningful ways. Jennifer has only been in the department for a year and a half but has fully embraced and excelled at her role and has been a great resource to the new hires in the department, offering her time and help in a way that makes them feel valued. Jennifer is a delight to work with.”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being caring in her work
“Melissa has always been a dedicated team member, but she has also been someone who goes above and beyond for her patients. She cares deeply about her patients and collaborates with the team to ensure she is providing the best possible care. This example goes even further to show how she cares for others who aren’t even her patients. Melissa collaborated with the security team and even got another co-worker to respond to a woman who had driven her car into the handicap sign in the parking lot. While completing documentation inside the therapy office, Melissa heard a loud crash. She looked outside the window and saw a car had hit a handicap sign. The sign had bent some and the car looked as if it went over the curb. Melissa didn’t see the person get out of the car, so she called security. After a few minutes, the person still did not get out of the car and security had not yet responded to the scene. Melissa and another co-worker decided to go outside and check on the person. This person had come to the hospital for labs, but she was unable to get out of the car herself and seemed somewhat confused. Melissa called security again and asked them to respond to the scene. Melissa and Amy asked for security to stay with the patient and possibly take her to the ED due to her difficulty mobilizing, her confusion, and her cars bumper coming off. Melissa could have looked out the window and not responded like the many people outside in the parking lot. She acted by not only calling security but also checking on the driver to ensure she was safe. This was Melissa going above her job expectations to provide care and ensure safety for both the patients and visitors at Kettering Health Hamilton.”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being caring and collaborative in her work
“Kristal should be an Employee of the Month because she routinely, without question, exemplifies the standards of caring and collaboration. Kristal is always a team player. She always takes on the more difficult assignments, yet still helps her co-workers throughout the shift too. One night I was drowning in triage, and she came over to see how she could help, and she cleaned some beds for me so I could bring patients back to triage in a more efficient manner. She did this with a positive attitude and no complaints, even though I knew she had an assignment on postpartum that night too. She is an excellent communicator and always comes over to Labor and Delivery to check in with the charge nurse to make sure everything is running smoothly! Kristal’s actions positively impact others because she is an excellent team player and communicator. She is always on top of what is going on in the unit and willing to lend a helping hand. I can tell that when she is working, people appreciate her teamwork and positive, calm attitude. She is an excellent leader!”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being innovative and collaborative in her work
“Hayley is a skilled and dedicated NICU nurse that we are blessed to have working for Kettering Health Main Campus. She not only provides kind and compassionate care at the bedside, but she spends hours of her personal time sewing vital supplies for the NICU. With financial support from the NICU for the supplies, Hayley skillfully sews isolette covers, bed sheets, and developmental aid covers with cute and cuddly fabrics. Making these supplies saves money for the unit and gives the nurses a way to individualize the infant’s bed space, making the NICU seem less clinical and more home-like. Parents can see the love and attention put into color coordinating linen and know their baby is well cared for. Thank you, Hayley, for your love and service. Haley’s actions help all the NICU staff to care for infants in a way that the parents can see the care and attention given to their baby.”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being competent and caring in his work
“Drew has made a significant impact on meeting our IT needs at our remote campus location. His IT knowledge along with his helpful and friendly demeanor is appreciated so much by all of our faculty, staff, and students. He recently worked with us to develop a weekly visit to Ollie Davis where he is available for any IT needs we have. He has stepped in numerous times during his visits to assist with critical IT needs for faculty, staff, and students. For example, today we were having a guest lecture via Zoom and ran into some issues with our audio. I was able to get Drew on the phone and he calmly and efficiently was able to assist. Just knowing he was on the other end of the phone calmed our nerves. He provided effective and professional IT assistance and the Zoom lecture was able to proceed. Drew is always coming to our rescue! In addition, he goes above and beyond in looking for ways to assist us in trouble shooting and improving our IT experiences at Ollie Davis. When we have an IT need and ask Drew for his assistance, we know it will get handled quickly and correctly. Drew continually embodies our values of competent, caring, and collaborative in all his dealings with our department! Kettering College is blessed and fortunate to have Drew as a part of our college community and we really appreciate all the ways he has stepped in and gone above and beyond to serve our department.”
“Drew has made my life more efficient at Ollie Davis. He is more than willing to assist whether I have a general tech question or a specific question about my laptop function. No matter the tech issue, he handles it like the pro he is.”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being caring in her work
“Norma greets every day with a smile, making sure that all of our patients are taken care of and that they feel like they are part of a family. Norma spent almost 20 minutes with the family of a patient who recently had a stroke to go through all of the patient’s medications with them. She understood the patient and family were very frustrated with everything going on since the stroke. She came out a few times during the review to partner with the physician and returned immediately to the patient’s room to make sure her review was thoroughly completed. It was obvious that Norma helped put the patient and their family at ease with her attention to detail. Norma’s positivity is contagious. It does not matter how bad the day is going, Norma smiles and it brightens the office. Since I met her and started working with her earlier this year, she has made me feel welcomed and appreciated. Norma does this with everyone in the office including our patients.”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being caring in his work
“Rob had a patient in ICU that was getting agitated a bit and nearing the end of life. The situation was a bit more complicated because this patient had a developmental disability and was picky on who he let touch him or talk with him. Rob knew this patient was a Bengals fan and went to the gift shop and bought him a shirt to have for the Sunday night game. If you know Rob, this is his rival team. The patient and his family were very appreciative. It was very touching to see Rob interact with this patient. Rob was so caring and compassionate with him. We can all learn from Rob on how to reach out even with barriers. Brought tears to my eyes!”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being collaborative in her work
“Amanda goes above and beyond every day for our patients and for the staff. She is the living definition of a team player. Routinely, when the ED is busy, she will answer phones, answer call lights, assist patients with their needs, and help the ED staff in any way necessary. She is always willing and glad to help whenever she is able and is very appreciated by her night shift crew! Amanda’s team spirit is contagious!”
“Amanda is so valued! She is extremely dedicated to the safety of our patients and providing quality imaging. She has taken charge of our daily quality check for CT at Kettering Health Greene Memorial and has also assisted in training the staff at Soin Medical Center in the correct procedures. She willingly helps the ED staff when she is working. During the pandemic, she was willing to work anywhere she was needed–taking shifts both at Greene and at Soin as needed. She is a lifesaver and an amazing co-worker!”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being collaborative and trustworthy in his work
“Tim is one of the best employees at Soin Medical Center. If you see he’s working with you, you can be confident it will be a good day. He exhibits teamwork like no one else. He took a lead role in his department because they needed someone, and he willingly trains new graduates and new hires. He even worked the night shift for several weeks just to help out when his staff was short! He is always willing to educate nurses when they have questions and will make a trip up to your unit if he’s working in another part of the hospital to help. He welcomes questions and encourages learning. He is patient, so you don’t feel like you’re inconveniencing him when you ask for help. Most importantly, he cares for his patients. He is not only competent, but kind and compassionate as well. I have never heard Tim complain. He takes what he is given and does his best with a positive attitude. He is a leader in this way and his example encourages others around him to do the same. I am so thankful to work with someone who is a quiet leader, a hard worker, and someone who truly cares for people. He so deserves to be honored for all that he does for our hospital!”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being competent and caring in her work
“Felica is wonderful to work with. She steps in with difficult patients and is calm and compassionate. Felicia is a great charge nurse and is always willing to help staff with difficult patients. She is kind and compassionate with patients and staff. She is a joy to work with. I always have a great day when Felicia is working.”
“Felicia was willing to swap to a night rotation to help with staffing difficulties a few times this year. She is a strong leader for her unit and handles complicated patient situations with grace. She is open to the ideas of her teammates and aims to meet the patient where they are. She also brings in humor and builds relationships with her co-workers.”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being caring in his work
“Garth helped a team member when they were having a difficult time. Garth acted with urgency and went down to the department to talk to the individual. Garth went above and beyond to line up the appropriate care for them and ensured to follow up with the employee after the incident. After their conversation together, the employee showed up to work the next day clean shaven and with a very positive attitude. He inspired this person because they felt so heard and seen by Garth. I was able to speak with Garth at a meeting later and he is looking to partner with HR to create a process for employees who are fighting similar battles in the future. Garth continues to show his caring heart through every interaction he has. Others in the system have voiced that Garth reaches out, prays for them, and checks in on them. Garth is also a member on the employee advocacy council and contributes to the success of our improvements at Kettering Health Dayton. Garth has impacted so many people with his call to care. He acts with urgency and handles situations delicately and is authentic with each interaction. He defines all of our values and we are blessed to have him at Kettering Health Dayton. We appreciate him so much!”
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being caring and collaborative in her work
“Elizabeth steps up whenever there is a need. Recently, she was trained as a team lead and caught on quickly. She was eager to step into the much-needed shifts and took them on with great enthusiasm. On another occasion, she came in a couple hours before her shift to help when someone was sick. Another instance was when she searched for a patient’s dentures. She put gloves on and sifted through the trash thinking the patient might have left them on their tray. She understood the quality of life and financial implications of losing dentures. Although she did not find them, she did her best to help the patient. She follows the mission by treating patients like family and with a positive, helpful attitude that you can witness by walking by a room when she is interacting with patients. Her actions are noticed by the team, and they strive to do their job to the level she works. She inspires her teammates to continue to work hard and continue to learn. She is a joy to work with. During our meetings, her team members mention and recognize the wonderful job she does. They have mentioned her effort, energy, positive spirit, and willingness to learn and help. She is such an asset to our Kettering Health Troy team.”