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Ambulatory Care recognizes AREA winners Each quarter, Ambulatory Care Services recognizes outstanding employees who demonstrate the organization's values of accountability, respect, excellence and adaptability (AREA). Staff members who have received an “Applause for Caring” card during the quarter are automatically eligible for the AREA award.   Second quarter 2006 AREA award recipients are: T. Antonio Middleton, certified ophthalmic technician, Storm Eye Institute; Adam T. Ross, M.D., Otolaryngology; Mary H. Smalls, administrative assistant, Pediatrics; and Shelley G. Talbott, R.N., Pediatric Primary Care. Middleton was nominated by an employee. His nomination said, “My day began with landing at the garage with a flat tire. Tony heard of my problem and immediately came down to let me know that I did not have to worry. He said, ‘Don't worry about that, I'll be happy to fix it for you.’ He went out in 90 degree heat on his hands, knees and back to help me. I can't thank him enough for his help. Truthfully, I know he would do this to help anyone; he is just that kind of wonderful, warm, kind and caring person that God sends blessings through. Thanks so much, Tony.” Ross was nominated by an employee who described the following: “A patient was brought to the Emergency Room with a broken nose and cut that required stitches at 3:30 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon. The patient was released at 4:45 p.m.  and told to make a two-week return with ENT to have her nose set. The patient was in pain and very upset about the two-week follow-up. I paged Dr. Ross and explained that this patient was elderly and was told to come back in two weeks to have her nose set. Dr. Ross was very concerned about the patient and said for me to overbook her into his clinic the next morning at 8:30 a.m. and to make her the first patient. Dr. Ross went above and beyond in getting this patient seen. The patient is thrilled with the excellent care she received from Dr. Ross. ” Smalls was nominated by all of the pediatric clinical care coordinators who stated: “Mary Smalls is a tremendous asset to all staff in Pediatric Ambulatory Care. Her work load is incredible. She juggles all the balls, keeps Kathy and the CCCs up to date, and quietly assures that we meet all our deadlines. Mary is responsible for employee payroll—this alone is enough to keep one person busy. In addition, the first day of each month she prints out a ‘LWOP, Missed punch, Not on home clock’ report for our CCC meeting. She never forgets. Mary is also responsible for position posting and new hire paperwork. She sends continual reminders so we are not late turning employee paperwork into Carmen. If it were not for her diligent record keeping we would lose sight of this important task. She also prepares the packets so annual employee evaluation packets arrive to each CCC in a timely manner to ensure their completion. Starting in January, pediatrics has been having weekly staff meetings to prepare for our JCAHO survey and hardwire our MUSC Excellence initiative. Mary takes minutes. Her attention to detail is so great that pool staff who is not working can read the minutes and be up-to-date on what is happening in Peds.I know that there are many other things that Mary does that are not mentioned here, but the best part about Mary is that no matter how many times you go into her office, she always has a smile and she calmly says, ‘We'll get it done.’” Talbott was nominated by two employees who had the following to say about her: “Recently, I observed Shelley working with a frustrated breastfeeding mom for nearly two hours. She exhausted all resources to assist in this mother's success. Many nurses would have thrown in the towel, but not Shelley. Her passion for what she was doing was obvious and appeared to be greatly appreciated by the mother. The mother's whole demeanor changed and the positive effect on the patient was truly visible. How refreshing to see passion at work in nursing practice. Recently, Shelley effectively assisted her team in several ways. While the coordinator was away, she responded quickly to pages and followed up with staff to ensure that the unit was prepared for a POCT JCAHO inspection. She helped a co-worker, who would be out on FMLA research, obtain and display new safety messages on four Peds Ambulatory Care bulletin boards. Later she conducted safety education audits on two adult floors in RT in her peer's absence. She has done an excellent job of helping during times of need.” The Ambulatory Care Prize Patrol surprised each of these individuals in his/her practice setting. Each recipient received an AREA award lapel pin, a framed certificate, a $50 gift card and a cake to share with coworkers.     Friday, Nov. 24, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.