Employee Champions: November 2008

Thomas | Emergency Department/ED

In September the body of a US Veteran was being held in the hospital morgue. There were no family members available to assist in final preparations. Thomas was quite concerned about this gentleman and wanted to assure that the veteran's final rest was carried out with dignity and honor. As a result, he personally contacted the office of Howard Coble for support in accessing final burial for the gentleman. Coble's office then contacted the Salisbury VA. The request was granted for complete burial with full military honors at the National Veteran's Cemetery in Salisbury at the government's expense. Thomas acted as an advocate for someone who no longer had a “voice” but had a “right.”

Employee Champions: October 2008

Stella | Switchboard

This summer a Randolph Hospital employee wanted her 97 year old father who lives in a local nursing home to be able to go to his church's homecoming in Snow Camp. The nursing home told the family they could not take him unless he was transported in a handicap accessible van. After weeks of searching, Stella who happened to have a van posted on RHINO for sale, graciously let the employee and her family borrow the van for the day. The employee's family accomplished their mission of taking their father to homecoming at the church.

Christi, Switchboard
CARE Champion, October 2008

During Christi's first week at Randolph Hospital she answered a cell phone call from a frantic elderly woman who needed to go the ED, but couldn't find the entrance. Confused and scared, Christi calmed the woman down to find out her specific location and promptly sent security out to the parking deck to assist her safely to the ED.

Employee Champions: April 2008

Karen | Medical Pediatric Services, MPS

Karen Routh, MPS, is a CARE Champion because she is always thinking of others before herself. Upon the death of Randolph Hospital employee Catherine Wyrick, CNA, Karen put together several fundraisers to help the family with funeral expenses, a headstone and overall help in their time of need. Because of Karen's generosity, the family was able to have the proper funeral for their loved one.

BJ | Rehabilitation Services

BJ Chockley, Rehabilitation Services, is a CARE Champion because she exceeded a patient's expectations when they thought there was no hope. Recently, a Randolph Hospital employee saw an article in The Courier-Tribune about the new Bioness System available in Randolph Hospital's Rehab Services Department for individuals who experience a “drop-foot” syndrome. The employee immediately went to talk to BJ about the possibility of this device working for her father, who lives in Ohio. After explaining her father's situation, BJ was extremely interested in seeing him.

When the employee's father came to Asheboro to visit a week later, BJ worked him into her busy schedule. She spent over an hour patiently working with the employee's father, adjusting and readjusting the Bioness equipment. What's even more amazing is that the employee's father is up and walking without a limp for the first time in nearly 50 years!

Employee Champions: March 2008

Rebecca | Emergency Department/ED

Rebecca Garner is a CARE Champion for putting herself before others. Earlier this year Rebecca was taking care of an ill patient that transferred to ICU. Rebecca noticed that the patient's wife, who continually stayed by her husband's side, was older and also needed some personal assistance. Because the patient and his wife did not have family close by, after each shift, Rebecca would drive the woman home to make sure her dog was fed and the mail was collected. What was even more special was on Valentine's Day Rebecca had flowers delivered to the woman's husband, who days later passed away. The woman was forever grateful for Rebecca's kindness during this difficult time.

Employee Champions: January 2008

Cassandra | Community Alternatives Program (CAP)

CARE Activity: Cassandra is an in-home aid through the Community Alternatives Program. Recently, Cassandra's supervisor was visiting the client whom Cassandra works with and noticed that the client had a computer. The supervisor was puzzled because the client sold his computer 6 months ago. The client informed the supervisor that Cassandra is letting him borrow her personal computer until he saves enough money to buy one. The client has cerebral palsy and has limited contact with others. With the computer, he has been able to find several on-line cerebral palsy support groups and has enjoyed having contact with others.

Bill | Volunteer Services

CARE Activity: Bill volunteers in the Patient Welcome Center of Randolph Hospital and one day an elderly patient, couldn't remember where she parked her car. Bill got a description of the patient's car and took the time to walk the entire perimeter of the hospital grounds including two additional parking lots located off the hospital campus. When he finally located the car, he came back to the hospital, placed the patient in a wheelchair and transported her to the vehicle, which had been parked at a distant parking lot off of the hospital campus.

Employee Champions: November 2007

Kendall | Medical Pediatric Services

CARE Activity: One day while shopping at Randolph Mall preparing for the upcoming holiday season, Kendall Green, noticed a commotion in the main mall area. After further investigation she came across an individual laying unconscious on the floor. Kendall immediately jumped into action and began performing CPR. She performed CPR for several minutes until Emergency Services arrived. The individual survived the ordeal and was transported to the hospital for further testing. Kendall went above and beyond and jumped into action - saving that individual's life.

Employee Champions: October 2007

Darlene | Maternity Services Unit

CARE Activity: Compassionate, caring and understanding are just a few words patients and employees often use to describe Darlene Wyrick. Darlene a clinical instructor, breastfeeding class teacher and bereavement program leader on the Maternity Services Unit is always willing to go out of her way to help others despite her busy schedule.

In addition planning the annual “Walk to Remember”, an event that remembers the life of babies lost due to stillborn, neonatal or miscarriage, she spends countless hours on her days off ordering supplies and shopping for special mementos for the mothers that have lost a baby during their hospital stay. Because of Darlene's warm personality and caring heart, families are able to work through their pain and move forward when facing a very difficult loss.

Employee Champions: September 2007

Sherea  | Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

CARE Activity: As Director of ICU, Sherea Covington-Adams has a tremendous amount of responsibilities to deal with on a daily basis. Needless to say, one particular day, Sherea went out of her way to help a visitor who was waiting on her husband to be discharged from our hospital to another facility.

The visitor, who was morbidly obese and not able to walk to the restroom, was wetting herself, which resulted in a strong odor in the unit and patient waiting room areas. To control the situation in a dignified manner, Sherea explained to the lady that she could assist her with a shower, diapers and a change of clean clothes. The lady agreed to the offer and Sherea went and purchased a shirt, pair of pants and other sanitary items.

After the lady had a shower and changed into fresh clothing, Sherea sat down with her and gave her information about local agencies in the area that could assist her with various needs. Thanks to Sherea's caring heart, the lady was able to continue to visit with her husband and obtain information that will help her in the future.

Employee Champions: August 2007

Nina | In-Home Aide

CARE Activity: Nina went above and beyond not only by helping a client, but also by helping the client's family. They family unknowingly signed up for an HMO Advantage Health Plan, a plan a salesman convinced them that they needed. As a result of the change in policy, the family faced several additional medical fees that they were unable to afford. To help the family, Nina spent several days calling Medicare and other agencies to help fix the predicament that the family faced with accumulating bills and additional fees. Nina took the time to correct the insurance problems in order for the family members to be placed back into the appropriate insurance policy. Thanks to Nina's dedication, the family was able to receive the care they needed without the added expense.

Employee Champions: July 2007

Kimberly | Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

CARE Activity: One day Kim was in High Point pumping gas and she noticed a man wandering around the parking lot of the gas station. Kim was worried about the man so she asked him if he needed help. The man told Kim that he was lost and was late for his appointment at the Diabetes Clinic. Kim was worried about the man, so she filled up his gas tank and checked his blood sugar levels. Because the man had missed his appointment, Kim called the man's family to inform them of the situation. To make sure the man was able to get home safely, Kim followed the man back to his house. Kim was noted by the family as an angel for helping a lost soul in a time of need.

Employee Champions: June 2007

Rebecca | Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

CARE Activity: One of the patients in ICU was incontinent and the nurse from the previous shift was using incontinent briefs (diapers) for the patient. The patient was very embarrassed and uncomfortable using the diapers and wanted to wear Depends instead of the briefs provided on the unit. Rebecca called down to the Purchasing Department and found out that the hospital does not carry that particular brand of briefs. Because the patient was uncomfortable and embarrassed about having to wear diapers, Rebecca took the matter into her own hands by going to the grocery store to purchase Depends. Not only was the patient thankful for Rebecca's kindness and willingness to go above and beyond, but the patient was able to preserve her pride, which is priceless.

Employee Champions: December 2008

Brenda

Brenda is a CARE Champion because she reached out to the family of a fellow employee by raising over $2600 to equip a van for disability assistance. A member of that family experienced a tragic accident that restricts his ability to communicate and perform many everyday routines. Brenda took the initiative to mobilize the hospital community and make a difference by providing for this family. Brenda is a great example of someone who truly cares for others.