Juanita Prada is just one of the many special volunteers at Carilion Clinic! A childhood cancer survivor (twice!), Juanita has volunteered for the past five years in Carilion’s Pediatric Oncology Clinic, supporting children and their families where she was once a patient herself.

With a passion for helping children, she has transitioned from volunteer to employee in her new role as a Child Life Assistant, working toward her dream of becoming a Child Life Specialist.

During annual OR Fire evacuation education Christi identified that the barriers in the construction area make it difficult for people to evacuate if the fire broke out in the operating room. They would be unable to evacuate straight out to the stairwell. The contractor added a plastic zipper barrier so they can unzip and go through that door and exit during an emergency. This was a great catch and enabled us to put a process in place for the safety of patients and staff. Thanks Christi for identifying this safety hazard for your department.

Courage:
 

 The Nursing Support Services leadership team would like to recognize Debra Flinchum for having the courage to notify her managers and payroll that there appeared to be an error in her paycheck. This error was to her advantage, and she was overpaid. We know that this would have been a financial benefit for her, especially during this holiday season, but she had the courage to do what was right without question. Thank you for your integrity, Debra! 

David Hale in EVS visited CFMH from CRMH for a short time to assist with filling the gap. He had a keen eye and noticed a needle in the trash while cleaning the ED. Thanks to David an accident was adverted. He had the courage to speak up for safety. Thanks David !

Huge WOW to tonight’s ED triage staff Jeremy, Trevor and Shelby and accompanying LPNs and techs. You guys worked at 110% to ensure that everyone in the waiting room was safe and taken care of, despite all the squads and downtime.  Our CTL Kalyn handled downtime like a boss and stayed collected despite things getting weird out there. Oliver had multiple traumas that had to be hand written and didn’t complain once. This group of people could run the world.

Happy Veteran's Day to Mary-Phyllis (MP)  Mayerchak, RN.

MP was a flight nurse with the Air Force. 

Your Brambleton family want to thank you very much for your service.

Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a day to honor our veterans for their service to our country.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918, to mark the end of World War I. It later became a legal holiday to honor World War I veterans. By 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, the name “Armistice” was replaced with “Veterans” and the holiday expanded to honor American veterans of all wars.

As history unfolds and we face the future, the service and sacrifices of our veterans remains timeless.

Throughout October, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, members of the Women’s Employee Resource Group collaborated with Carilion Wellness and traveled to a dozen locations throughout the organization to provide educational materials about breast cancer prevention and screenings. Along the way, members also handed out pink ribbons and offered employees and visitors a chance to win two baskets of prize goodies. Congratulations to Jinjer Taylor, L.P.N., Pulmonary Clinic, and Kelly Rucker, R.N., CGCH, winners of those baskets. 

Long overdue!

Phyllis has been a great asset since she joined our team( Collaboration) . She hit the ground running and proved herself to be a top notch nurse( Commitment) . She is always inquisitive and always wanting to fully understand what the plan of care is for her patients ( Curiosity) . She is well loved by her patients, and she takes care of all their needs( Compassion) . When she comes to my office, I listen. If I don't, she makes me listen:) ( Courage) . Her feedback is invaluable!

Sorin Scarlatescu, MD

The Mother Baby Team on 12 S has been going the extra effort to keep the patients and team members safe from COVID. In an effort to promote the use of a mask, they have placed signs on the unit doors to remind visitors that we have new mothers and babies on the unit, so please wear a mask. There is a basket of masks sitting at the desk and everyone takes the responsibility to remind visitors to wear one at all times and will hand them to those that are not wearing one. This has been well received by visitors.