Each day, we see colleagues doing amazing things that reflect our Northern Arizona Healthcare Values. Colleagues doing outstanding work are nominated for the L.O.V., or “Living Our Values,” Award. A committee of NAH colleagues from across the system reviews all nominations to select monthly honorees and quarterly champions.
The following L.O.V. honorees distinguished themselves by living NAH Values – Show compassion, Do amazing work, Respect differences, Build community; and Be better together. Thanks and congratulations to each and every one!
Keli Openshaw, Senior Process Improvement Facilitator
Value: Show compassion
Sometimes NAH values boil down to one thing: Friendship. Keli Openshaw demonstrated each and every one of our values by caring for a colleague, Tiffany, who was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma last year.
Tiffany is a single mom with no family living close by, and Keli led the effort to provide her with support in the form of visitation schedules, food trains, gifts and more. When Tiffany was first diagnosed, Keli arranged a photo shoot for Tiffany and her children before Tiffany lost her hair. Keli also hosted a potluck support event at her painting business. When Tiffany had to go to the Mayo Clinic for three weeks for a stem cell transplant, Keli made visitation schedules and coordinated time with Tiffany’s children to write notes and record videos because Tiffany was not going to be able to see them at all during this time.
Back at work, Keli hand-wrapped each gift staff brought so Tiffany would have something to open each day she was in the hospital, and coordinated getting a big banner signed by different departments. Keli also visited Mayo and worked to ensure Tiffany had the encouragement she needed to get through that time. Our colleagues, as well as Tiffany, appreciate the days and weeks Keli has taken out of her busy schedule to ensure Tiffany had what she needed during a very difficult year. Without her love and compassion, it would not have been possible.
Kay McCombs, RN
Value: Do amazing work
Kay McCombs recognized a need in our organization after a traumatic event with a patient’s family who was unable to use their cell phones because the batteries weren’t charged. Kay purchased chargers for the family out of her own pocket so they would be able to communicate. Not only did Kay help this family, she also saw an opportunity for others in the same situation. She located resources and wrote a grant proposal so that charging stations can be located in waiting and patient rooms. Now that the grant has been approved, Kay is working hard to get the chargers and stations deployed. Kay’s professionalism, teamwork and patient/family advocacy is a direct reflection of our values. Thanks to Kay for the amazing work she does every day.