Thank you for your dedication
I have long believed that I work with the most dedicated health care professionals in the city. During the events of the past two weeks, you have certainly reaffirmed that for me. Between the devastating explosion of JJ's Restaurant on the Plaza, two large snowstorms, and the evacuation of the Child Care Center yesterday, there was not a department across our hospital that was not somehow impacted. And yet you did not miss a beat. I am deeply moved and inspired by the stories I have heard about how so many of you went above and beyond to not only care for our patients but to care for each other. While it would be impossible to showcase all of those stories, the leadership team and I want to share some of the examples of your dedication.
Because of you, Saint Luke's continues to be the best place to get care, the best place to give care. Thank you for all you do.
Julie Quirin
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Stories and recognition from your managers and co-workers
- The storms required more than 300 employees and physicians to stay overnight at or near the hospital in hotels. Mary Eidson, Kimala Small, Dawn Lockey, Robyn McKearney, and Debbie White all helped staff coordinate sleeping accommodations and kept track of where everyone was. You can imagine what a task this was to ensure accurate accounting of all employees.
- Housekeeping made sure the extra beds and cots were ready, linens were available, and rooms were cleaned after employees used them.
- Many employees picked up co-workers whose vehicles couldn't make it in the snow or opened up their homes for employees to stay overnight.
- Many staff switched schedules with their co-workers or worked on their day off to ensure adequate staffing.
- Facilities and Security helped dig cars out and ensure pathways were clear for staff and visitors.
- The Security Department helped shuttle employees to and from the nearby hotels in their own vehicles to make sure staff arrived safely to work.
- There are several accounts of employees walking to work...up hill...both ways...in a foot of snow (literally!)
- Susan Kramer, Mary Farber, and Donell Wolf helped to move staff, answer phones, retrieve supplies, and clean beds.
- Many newborns are so excited to come into the world, they give little thought to inclement weather conditions. Our Mother/Baby and Nursery staff hunkered down and spent the night to make sure these new babies were safely born. The staff of Maternal Fetal Medicine also spent the night and braved the elements in order to provide high-risk moms with the care they need...that often can't wait another day.
- All hands on deck. The Center for Health Enhancement pitched in and helped set up this location should staff need an additional place to stay. Marianne Goulding and Chris Schulte from CFHE stayed late and helped support the Incident Management Team.
- Sarah Simon was recently transferred from Admitting to a new department, but when her new department was closed, she walked to work so she could help out in Admitting. She joined many reps who stayed overnight to ensure coverage 24/7.
- During the first snowstorm, MAHI was scheduled to co-host a research summit by transmitting live cases and presentations from our interventional lab to the conference location in New York City. Despite the weather, the satellite truck, physicians, nurses, staff, and patients all made it to the hospital... because after all, the show must go on!
- In times like this, we are acutely focused on the needs of our patients. However, one department was looking out for all of you. The week of the second snowstorm also coincided with payroll. Ten Payroll Department employees stayed two nights at the Penn Tower office to make sure we all got paid. It goes without saying how fortunate we are for this dedicated group of employees.
- More than 30 teachers in the Child Care Center, along with the help of Security, Administration, and KCFD, helped to safely and quickly move the children to the Children's SPOT. The kids thought it was a wonderful adventure and were excited to meet the firefighters.
- Members of the HR team helped call all parents to ensure them of their children's safety.
This is only a small handful of the countless ways employees have displayed their commitment and dedication. Thank you once again for all you do!
 | | Staff pulled through and made it to work during the biggest snowstorm of the year. |
 | | Wintry conditions at Saint Luke's Hospital. |
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| Meet our new Safety and Preparedness coordinator
If the name Derek Collins wasn't familiar to you before last Tuesday, it likely is now. Derek Collins is our new Safety and Preparedness coordinator. Collins joined us on Jan. 14 and has been quickly immersed in safety preparedness and crisis management.
Welcome to the team, Derek! We're so glad you're here!
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Saint Luke's in the news
SLH has been making news with the recent events, and our staff is sharing its expertise in the media. Click on the links below to see the full story.
Print
Some Medical Facilities Close Doors for the Day,
Fierce Snowstorm Brings Deep Trouble: The Digging Out Begins, KC Star, 2/22/13
Another Snowstorm Moves In, KC Star, 2/26/13
Storm Puts Employees in Tough Spot about Going to Work, KC Star, 2/26/13
Hospitals Remain Open but Limit Non-Emergency Services, KC Business Journal, 2/21/13
TV
Blizzard Baby
Kansas City Blizzard Baby Comes a Week Early, KSHB, 2/25/13 and 2/26/13
Couple Braves Storm to Welcome Blizzard Baby Into World, KCTV, 2/25/13 and 2/26/13
Baby Boy Comes Quickly Into the World on Snowy KC Morning, FOX 4, 2/25/13 and 2/26/13
Snow Safety
Proper Storm Safety with Dr. Marc Larsen, KSHB, 2/25/13
Carolyn Long interviews Dr. Blair Cote on proper Snow Shoveling Safety, KCTV, 2/25/13
Take it to Heart - Snow Shoveling Safety, FOX 4, 2/21/13
Hospital Prep
Hospitals Still Open in Storm, FOX 4, 2/21/13
No Snow Days for Hospitals, FOX 4, 2/21/13
Employees Prepare to Stay the Night, KSHB, 2/25/13
Employees Stay Over to Prepare, KMBC, 2/25/13
Radio
Blizzard Baby, KMBZ, 2/25/13
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