News

Beebe Recognizes Employees with "You Make A Difference" Award

03/07/08

Beebe Medical Center is pleased to announce and congratulate its most recent "You Make A Difference" award winners: Tracy Williams, RN, Charge Nurse for Beebe's Same Day Surgery Department; and Edith Brooks, Patient Transport Equipment Technician.


William was honored with the "You Make A Difference" Award for February. She is known by Beebe team members for her calming effect on patients prior to surgery. In her professional and competent manner, she takes as much time as needed to answer patient questions. She often will visit patients and give them words of encouragement, even when she is not on-call.

She also is known to come through for Beebe Medical Center team members. When one of her co-workers needed to take a leave of absence and Same Day Surgery was short-staffed, she bought gifts for everyone in the department to show her appreciation for their willingness to sacrifice vacations and days off. She encourages new employees to learn by taking advantage of educational opportunities, all the while assuming their workload to accommodate their absence from the department when they attend their courses. She seems to always find a reason to bring in treats to share with her department, and is appreciated for her generosity, encouragement and fairness.

Williams mentors student nurses who visit the department as part of their clinical rotation. She selflessly takes the time to explain the department's processes, guides the students through I.V. starts, and shows them how to check patients' charts and follow the patient's process through Same Day Surgery, to the Operating Room and to discharge. With her professional enthusiasm and willingness to share her knowledge and expertise, she serves as a role model and a team leader for students and fellow team members alike.

Brooks was honored with the "You Make a Difference" Award for March. Brooks is known for her creativity, willingness to help, enthusiasm and resourcefulness. As Beebe's lone "Wheelchair Lady," she can be found working as early as 6 a.m. in our east and west lobbies, ensuring that there will be an adequate supply of wheelchairs for the day. She keeps them clean and in good repair.

When she took over this responsibility several years ago, she dove into her new job like she does everything else with total commitment and a work ethic that is to be admired. She found a room with a sink that was not being used for her center of operation and has never looked back. She first cataloged every wheelchair and stretcher at Beebe and set up a schedule for cleaning and maintenance. She learned how to do simple repairs, and works with plant engineering to facilitate major repairs. She became acquainted with the different vendor representatives to obtain the parts needed for the equipment. She found a "stash" of stretcher mattresses that had been sitting for several years unused and replaced the mattresses as needed.

When Brooks joined Beebe, she worked as a home health assistant, providing exceptional care to her patients, and going above and beyond the call of duty by decorating their homes for the holidays and bringing them fresh flowers. Her warm personality and positive attitude during stressful times have been welcome to patients and team members alike. Brooks also volunteers for Meals on Wheels and offers care and support for people who are less fortunate and shut in.

Beebe Medical Center's "You Make A Difference" employee recognition program, which was established in 2002, gives employees the opportunity to recognize their colleagues for outstanding service. The program is similar to an employee of the month program, but 18 employees can be selected annually. Each nomination, which may be submitted by fellow employees or management, must meet criteria developed by the committee. The "You Make A Difference" Review Board evaluates eligible nominations each month. Winners are announced in a surprise ceremony in which the committee meets in their department and presents the award. Employees selected for the award receive:

* Parking space with sign/plaque for a month
* $100 gift certificate to business of choice within Sussex County
* Letter of congratulations and personal visit from Jeffrey Fried, Beebe president
* Photo for wall plaque on hall outside of cafeteria
* Special pin for badge
* Letter to team member's director and department recognition

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org.