Congrats to all of our August Employees of the Month!
This award recognizes the people you love to work with. These winners show exhibit Kettering Health’s Standards of Behavior, live out our values, and demonstrate the healing presence practices outlined in Called to Care.
Check out photos and excerpts from the nomination stories for this month’s winners below!
Libby Jacob – Kettering Network Services
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being collaborative in her work
“Most recently, Libby took on the task of coordinating the education of pharmacists for a new COVID outpatient treatment referral process. This included the creation of education materials, one-on-one training, and several group training sessions. Because Libby was so well-versed in the process, she volunteered to review referrals when staffing was very lean and referral numbers started to rise. This occurred throughout the week, in the evenings, and on weekends. This is outside the relative scope of her role, but Libby never hesitated to re-prioritize other responsibilities to ensure this vulnerable patient population was cared for in a timely fashion. Libby is someone you can always count on. She eases the stress of her colleagues by taking on any responsibility that will help get work done.”
Kristin Zachman – Kettering Health Hamilton
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being competent and caring in her work
“Kristin attempted to perform a speech therapy evaluation on a stroke patient who had failed a nurse bedside swallow screening. She visited the patient three times, but every time she was unable to evaluate the patient because another therapy was with the patient or the patient was in imaging, etc. Kristin was diligent in returning to evaluate this patient. Because of her diligence, patience, and dedication to safe patient care, this patient was evaluated before receiving oral intake.”
Austin List – Kettering Health Washington Township
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being competent and trustworthy in his work
“A local law enforcement agency was serving a warrant when a detective from the team asked Austin to check him out because he was not feeling well. Austin proceeded to take the officers vitals and run through signs and symptoms. Austin concluded that they needed to get to the emergency department immediately for a possible cardiac event. The officer was actively having a heart attack and Austin’s quick evaluation and thinking got the officer to Kettering Health Dayton in time to stabilize and save his life. If Austin had not been there or acted as quickly the outcomes may not have been so positive. He has gone above and beyond expectations for the job description by not only being a commissioned Police Officer at Kettering Health but also Austin just finished his advanced EMT course to add to his skills as a tactical medic while out with the area SWAT teams. Austin not only supports the teams by attending trainings and serving warrants, but he also makes himself available for any officer in need at the police departments he serves.”
Claudia McLain – Kettering Health Main Campus
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being caring and innovative in her work
“We had a very confused patient on the unit this week. Claudia had five patients on the unit who all had a lot going on. Despite this busyness, Claudia made an extra effort that any spare time she had or anytime she had charting to catch up on, she would sit in the patient’s room with him. Claudia found that the patient liked to fish. She made a fishing pole for him out of suction tubing and a Yankauer wrapped in self-adhesive Coban tape to make it more durable. She hooked the fishing pole to suction and put paper fish on the floor. The patient could then sit in bed and fish by suctioning up his paper fish. When others walked in the room and asked what was on the floor the patient would tell them his fish. He truly found joy in this. Claudia went above and beyond the call of duty to make this connection with a patient on a very busy day.”
Renee Fite – Kettering College
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being collaborative in her work
“Renee continues to go beyond her role to provide administrative help when she is able or available to the Division of Online Learning, Professional, & Continuing Education. She reached out and provided additional assistance in helping with the Quality Summit assembling handouts and folders for the participants, setting up at the church, and securing a new vendor for the food. She even carried tables up the stairs to the Upper Room venue because the elevator was inoperable! In addition, Renee oversaw the remodel of the offices for the Division of Online Learning assisting with move of numerous faculty, motivating those who need that extra push to move and stay on task, assuring the correct décor was followed, ordering the necessary equipment, and communicating with those who needed to know. Renee was instrumental in the timely onboarding of all the Kettering Path Students for their summer courses (this was achieved in less than 24 hours).”
Amber Renner – Kettering Physician Network
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being caring and collaborative in her work
“We had an elderly patient with an onset of atrial fibrillation requiring Eliquis which the patient indicated she could not afford. As soon as Amber was asked what could be done for the patient, she immediately looked to see if patient qualified for a copay card which patient did not. Amber then called a contact in cardiology who had cards for one month free for Eliquis. Amber left the office and picked up the card for the patient and brought it back to office so the patient could use it right away. She also set up with cardiology a way to continue supplying the patient Eliquis via samples. She also is working to obtain 1-month-free Eliquis cards for our primary care office. She stopped what she was doing to meet this patient’s needs. The patient was tearful because she states she has never received so much concern and care from any physician office.”
Ralph Griffin – Kettering Health Miamisburg
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being caring in his work
“A patient was nearing their end of life during the early morning hours without a chaplain present. Ralph took it upon himself to enter the room and comfort the family through prayer. He created a meaningful experience to help guide them through their grief of losing a loved one. We are so lucky to have a heart like Ralph’s among us.”
Robin Haught – Kettering Health Greene Memorial
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being caring and collaborative in her work
“Robin is the kindest soul! She happened to be in CT when I had brought a small patient in and she had noticed the patient was upset and crying despite trying to do things to make her calm down. Robin offered to help try to calm her down. She could tell that it was not working despite all our efforts. A little later, I was finishing up my exam and the patient was still worked up and teary eyed, when in walked Robin again with a dolly for my little patient! She took it upon herself to go to the gift shop and pick something out for her. Robin was in the middle of her job when she stopped to help me do mine and took time out of her day to do something so thoughtful for this little girl.”
Jake Angles – Soin Medical Center
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being trustworthy in his work
“Jake has one of the best attitudes among any floor, service line, or position, and it consistently shows through in the quality of service that he affords every single patient he interacts with. Having seen him firsthand with patients, his commitment to them is inspiring and exemplary. I am both grateful and relieved to know we have staff like this who we can count on when we admit patients to the hospital…I believe he appreciates the relationships and team effort that providing the level of care we do requires and know that he is well-liked and respected by his peers and fellow staff.”
Rebecca Reitzel – Kettering Health Behavioral Medical Center
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being trustworthy and collaborative in her work
“She has acted as mentor to department staff and students as of late and has a keen sense of awareness. For example, Becky made two great catches and near misses on the floor the past month that could have presented as safety issues and quickly informed the appropriate personnel. Becky has also demonstrated interprofessional collaboration, giving multiple in-services to nursing staff and nursing students educating them on the role of occupational therapy in delivering mental health services. Becky truly cares about being her best day in and out! Becky frequently receives positive feedback from staff on her willingness to assist with patient care and her actions with acting as mentor.”
Lisa Bingham – Kettering Health Dayton
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health values of being caring and innovative in her work
“Recently, a patient hand carried an order to Radiology for an X-ray. The order was unclear and needed further clarification from the provider. Lisa sprang into action and called the office promptly. The provider was out of the office and was unable to get the needed order. Lisa apologized to the patient and explained why the X-rays could not be done at this time and the patient understood. The next day, Lisa called again to try and get the needed order. She also faxed paperwork requesting clarification. On the third day, Lisa walked over to the physician’s office to attempt to get the order. She was able to get the order clarified at that time. Lisa immediately called the patient and informed the patient she got the order. The patient came to Dayton within the hour and had the needed X-rays performed.”
Jonathan Sibila – Kettering Health Troy
Recognized for living out our Kettering Health value of being competent in his work
“He is always willing to help, whether it be something within his role or helping in another area. He is an excellent communicator to those who may be impacted by his work while taking patient care into consideration first. His follow-up to work orders and other requests is top notch. You always know where things stand when Jonathan is on the case! He provides a positive impact to the organization and to the people he interacts with because of his kind manner and strong work ethic.”