Griffin Hospital in Derby honors employees at awards dinner

In celebration of National Hospital Week

 

Johanne Cayer of Ansonia won Griffin Hospital’s Employee of the Year for 2014-15. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital recently honored more than 175 employees who reached service milestones and announced its employee and department of the year award winners at its 44th Annual Service Awards Dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Southbury.

Johanne Cayer of Ansonia, was named Griffin Hospital’s 2014-15 Employee of the Year, Eunice Lisk of Stratford, won The Spirit of Planetree Award and the hospital’s Surgical Services and Dining Services were named Co-Departments of the Year.

At an Olympics-themed celebration, Griffin Hospital CEO and President Patrick Charmel handed out gifts to employees who worked at Griffin for more than 20 years and made the award announcements. 
The celebration is held each year during National Hospital Week to recognize employees and physicians for years of service and for outstanding performance.

Cayer Named Top Employee

Johanne Cayer is a six-year employee with Griffin Hospital’s Environmental Services Department.

She was nominated for Employee of the Year for her outstanding work ethic in maintaining the high standards for cleanliness in the hospital’s Emergency Department and for exceeding expectations in making sure the ED makes a good first impression on patients.

“Johanne willingly takes on new tasks and immediately corrects any unsafe conditions. She takes pride and ownership in everything she does,” Charmel said in giving out the award. “Regardless of the situation at hand, or what is asked of her, Johanne treats everyone with respect, honesty, and courtesy.”

The hospital's Employee of the Year selections come from its monthly ITIP (I Take It Personally) program where employees are nominated by their colleagues for the honor. Each month, one employee is selected from the hospital’s four service divisions - Ancillary, Nursing, Service and Support - for his or her efforts to improve patient satisfaction and promote Griffin Hospital’s commitment to patient-centered care. Of these employees, four are selected as finalists for the honor of “Employee of the Year.” 
In addition to Cayer, Kelly Miller, RN, of Griffin's Nursing Department, Elizabeth Brana, of the Respiratory Department, and Janice Bowers, of the Occupational Medical Center, were finalists for the top honor. 

Griffin Hospital’s 2014 Spirit of Planetree Award Winner Eunice Lisk of Stratford poses with Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel, right, and the 2013 Spirit of Planetree Award winner Michael Currie. / Contributed photo

Lisk Wins Spirit of Planetree

Lisk has headed Griffin Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department for the past five years as its manager.

Lisk was selected for the Spirit of Planetree Award for being an exceptional team leader who offers support and guidance to her patients and staff. 
She spearheaded renovations to the employee gym, promotes the hospital’s health and wellness services to the community and has introduced innovative, patient-centered programs through the hospital’s Planetree Steering Committees.

“Eunice truly exemplifies what a caregiver should be,” Charmel said. “Her passion, positive outlook, and innovative spirit have made her an invaluable member to the Griffin team.”

The Spirit of Planetree Awards recognizes healthcare workers who promote patient- and person-centered care by personalizing the health care experience.

Surgical Services and Dining Services Named Departments of the Year

Griffin Hospital’s Surgical Services and Dining Services were named the Co-Departments of the Year for 2014.

Surgical Services was honored for expanding the number of patients it serves and attracting new surgeons to the community. The Surgical Services staff became skilled in eight new procedures in the past year and learned the routines of 14 new surgeons. 
In addition, Surgical Services has helped Griffin’s International Surgery Program continued to grow, treating 103 international patients in 2013.

“The Surgical Services team has made continuous improvements to the department’s operations that have dramatically improved patient satisfaction and safety,” Charmel said. “On-time starts in the O.R. have improved to 71 percent as staff has made a commitment to improve communication and operating efficiency.”

The Dining Services Department at Griffin Hospital earned Co-Department of the Year for providing numerous services to meet the needs of patients, their families, visitors, and hospital employees. In 2013, Dining Services transformed the patient meal experience with the implementation of In-Room Dining in which inpatient meal orders taken at the bedside to make sure individual patient’s nutritional needs and requirements are met. Dining Services also showed a commitment to the environment by offering local vegetables, fish and poultry, and starting programs to reduce the use of paper products and using bio-degradable takeout containers.

“The Dining Services Department strives to be an essential part of all hospital operations through its participation and support of many initiatives,” Charmel said. “The staff’s can-do attitude and willingness to accommodate each and every patient has distinguished them from others.”

The Department of the Year is selected from the four hospital departments are honored annually as “Department of the Quarter.”
In addition to the Surgical Services and Dining Services, Department of the Quarter winners were Medical Records and the 1 North Unit.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.