Over the last year or so within the College Station Region, we have been recognizing Employees and Rookies of the Quarter. “Employee of the Quarter” is a recognition for staff who have been working for over a year and “Rookie of the Quarter” for staff who have worked for Baylor Scott & White for less than a year.
Staff nominate their peers and then a committee made up of hospital and clinic staff select the winners for each quarter. When a staff member is surprised as the winner of that quarter, the typical reaction is that a few staff members come out, the winner is congratulated, a photo is taken and then everyone goes back to their normal business.
However, this was not the case when we recognized the most recent clinic “Rookie of the Quarter.” It was a Friday afternoon, and I was rushing to get out the door and head over to the University Drive Clinic as I did not want to be late. As I entered the clinic and found the department of the winner, excitement started to grow.
As we waited for the winner to return from her lunch (we did the recognition right after lunch), the suspense and excitement started to build. First, one staff member came out, then another and another. Before you knew it, the hall was packed with what felt like more than 20 staff members made up of CA’s, CMA’s, nurses, front desk folks and providers.
One funny note – a patient walked out of an exam room on the same hallway where everyone was gathered and you should have seen her face. A staff member said, “Thank you for choosing us.”
To get back to the story, it was like a surprise birthday party, where the intensity grew as we waited for the winner, and instead of shouting “surprise,” when Kimberly Johnson came down that hallway, everyone started to clap and congratulate her. It was amazing to see such a large group of our team present for Kimberly’s big moment. Each of them took time out of their day, a "small gesture that made a big impact," on not only Kimberly, but me. The moment was definitely memorable and meaningful! I continue to be amazed by the care, compassion and enthusiasm each of you bring every day!
Talk soon, Jason