Carbondale Reporter

The message is simple. The thought is heartfelt. Thank you.

Non-clinical workers throughout Carle Health chose to come together and carry out simple acts of kindness during heart month in appreciation of their colleagues who work on the front lines of medicine.

Handwritten thank you notes, homemade goodies, colored pens, decorated doughnuts, key chains, a homemade video, and decorated break rooms with words of encouragement and appreciation were among expressions of thanks provided by employee groups who volunteered to thank more than 4,700 colleagues for their work. A total of about 130 departments participated.

“The program has been a compassionate and thoughtful way to let our fellow teammates know how much we care. I have loved seeing our team rally around the effort to inspire, comfort and lift up members of Carle Health. Knowing we are providing these tokens and hopefully making their days just a little brighter has made us feel closer to each other,” Jana Perry, vice president of Strategy and Marketing for Health Alliance, said.

Patient Care Manager of Patient Services, Heidi Bennett said, “The Scheduling Center is having so much fun showing our appreciation. As a frontline team, we are experiencing encounters daily with patients who receive critical care at Carle. Each of them is grateful for the care they have received and for the teams working tirelessly to care for our community.  Huge thank you to all our caregivers!”

At Carle BroMenn Medical Center, employees who worked in intensive care, cardiovascular care and central telemetry (cardiac monitoring) were grateful for the recognition, including adding the personal touch of employee names on items, Nurse Manager Shelly Hillary said. “They were appreciative of the thoughtfulness.”

Carle Richland Memorial Hospital Nurse Manager, Joan Sager, BSN, RN, CCRN, said the notes, snacks and acts of kindness arrive when least expected. “Just looking at the notes gives everyone a smile and a positive outlook for the moment or even the rest of their shifts. It helps us to help patients and coworkers with a generous heart also. We truly do appreciate every time something arrives.  I frequently hear people saying, ‘we don’t even know those people but they still care.’”

Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center Administrator, Heather Tucker, MSN, RN-BC, NEA-BC, said, “Carle Hoopeston staff have thoroughly enjoyed both giving and receiving surprises of kindness. Care for Our Caregivers provided the opportunity for employees to recognize others within the organization for hard work and dedication in a 24/7 environment. This effort also stimulated departments within the facility to share surprise recognition with all local hospital teams independently.”

In Women’s and Children’s Services at Carle Foundation Hospital, the appreciation that included snacks and cards reached as many as 350 employees, including technicians and midwives. “It was so unexpected. Coming from peers meant even more. It was so welcomed. Everyone was very appreciative,” Director of Women’s and Children’s Services, Tracy Brown, MBA, BSN, RN, said.

Several teams put creative thought into their tokens of appreciation. One team provided packets of light water flavoring and water bottles to Carle Foundation Hospital Radiology tagged with “Can’t Mask Our Gratitude.” Director Kelly Oppe, MBA, RT® said, “Over the last couple of years, our team has experienced challenges both personally and professionally. The token of appreciation rehydrated our spirits and lightened our day.”

Human Resources initiated the idea that took off among the departments. “Our team members are so amazing,” Lauren Schmid, executive vice president and chief Human Resources officer, said. “The outpouring of support our teams are extending to one another through this program is overwhelming and reflects the values we strive for each day.”