Dennis Walker, physical therapist, was Fort Hamilton Hospital’s nominee for the Ohio Hospital Association’s 2018 Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award. One employee from each campus is nominated for this award, which is presented annually to one Ohio hospital caregiver who personifies a leader, gives back to the community, reflects the mission and values of his or her organization, and routinely goes beyond the call of duty. You can read Dennis’s nomination below:
Great Leader
Dennis has seamlessly stepped into every role he’s held during his time with Kettering Health Network. Tough by trade he is an acute care therapist, Dennis has also helped fill a gap in the outpatient setting. Because of this need, Dennis completely readjusted his schedule to help his patients and team where he would be the most valuable. Dennis regularly volunteers to take on extra responsibilities in leading and guiding the team. Consistently, Dennis provides feedback and is always striving for new ways to promote events and activities, with a goal to serve and support the team at the heart of every endeavor. His dedication to excellence shows in all that he does, and Dennis is committed to bettering himself, recently completing his Master’s in Business Administration while still working full-time last October.
Goes Beyond the Call of Duty
Recently, Dennis had a patient who was very swollen and debilitated, but wanted more than anything to get fresh air outside. Dennis made it his mission to coordinate a trip outside for the patient. He collaborated with nursing to align the trip with the patient’s infusions, notified telemetry, and gathered the supplies needed. Working with the treating occupational therapist, Dennis was able to schedule an outside session near the hospital’s fountain and garden. The patient was thrilled. His spirits were visibly lifted, and he continued activity even after coming back inside, washing his face, brushing his teeth, and sitting up in the chair for a while longer–all tasks he had previously been refusing to do. Dennis is known for going out of his way on behalf of his patients. He’ll often find blankets and reclining chairs, and offer families beverages. When he’s talking with patients, he’ll pull up a chair to be face-to-face with them and connect at their level. He carries out his responsibilities with humility, compassion, and a genuine heart for service.
Reflects the Mission and Values of Kettering Health Network
Kettering Health Network’s core values are to be innovative, collaborative, competent, caring, and trustworthy. Dennis is the embodiment of these values. He is constantly assessing what he can do to meet a patient’s unique needs, and approaches his work with compassionate care. His peers describe him as the definition of being “called to care,” and he is often mentioned by new employees as being helpful, kind, and patient. Patients appreciate the extra time he takes to connect and understand their specific needs. Dennis is a person who makes others feel valued, whether it’s the individual receiving care or the one he’s working alongside with to provide the care. Dennis doesn’t do any of his work for the sake of accolades, but his spirit and presence do not go unnoticed by his leaders and team members, and his positive attitude and selfless acts continually elevate their working environment.
Gives Back to the Community
Dennis gives back to his community every day in his work as a therapist. Even on his time off, he brings in a therapy dog to different units on the acute care side of the hospital. He is always willing to pitch in for community events and does so with a smile and positive attitude. To Dennis, work is not just a job or a series of tasks, it is truly a calling.