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Award program brings out all smiles by Cindy Abole Public Relations Taking time to settle an anxious patient or celebrating the efforts of a co-worker is a small success that can bring a smile to anyone. Among the Department of Radiology’s 200-plus staff of radiology technologists, nurses, administrative employees and physicians, there’s more reason for individuals to feel good about themselves in a new program called Smile Makers.   Radiology’s Smile Makers was created last fall as a departmentwide employee recognition program celebrating employee excellence and customer service each quarter. Since last fall, a total of 15 Radiology employees have been recognized by the program.   The idea originated from Radiology staff, including department chairman Philip Costello, M.D. A steering committee formed, a name was created, and the program was established.   “This has been a great program for us to formally recognize our individuals for their hard work and dedication to their jobs and patients,” said Costello. “Its popularity among staff is already  infectious.”   The committee gathers each quarter to review and consider a list of Radiology’s Applause Award recipients and other department employees to recognize. Candidates are judged by the committee’s statement of value which considers individuals praised for promoting and practicing “unbelievable” customer service and monumental patient care.   “Our goal is to get everyone in Radiology to support each other as a team so that we can provide patients with excellent care,” said Ray Manigault, director of Radiology. “Smile Makers is one way that we can recognize our employees and show them how important they are to us.”      Each quarter, the department hosts a Smile Makers celebration and reception within the hospital. Swaying to the sounds of Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration,” radiology employees and celebrants are formally honored with an award and small gift presented by Costello and organizers. Even committee members share in the collective fun choosing creative gifts from movie tickets to gift cards for gas, Target and Wal-Mart. The event ends with cake and refreshments.   Radiology’s Smile Makers steering committee members are: Janette Brown, Linda Hamner, Eric Mack, Mansle Raines, Dionne Smalls, and Michelle Vareltzis.   “It’s a delight to work with the steering committee and staff who are involved in planning this,” said Raines, manager of specialty imaging. “The employees are genuinely surprised and excited to be recognized.”   Radiology is considered one of several hospital departments that cross services bringing different modalities together including CT, MRI, mammography, PET, nuclear medicine and cardiovascular imaging. It’s only natural that employees and staff balance that role with spirit and unity, Raines said.      “Our department relies heavily on its front-line staff. It’s great to see everyone coming together as a team.” Costello said. “The need for unity is especially important as we move closer towards the opening of our new facilities and growth within the new hospital.”      The group’s next quarterly celebration will be held May 20 at James Island County Park. Radiology Applause Recipients (February) Fletcher Springer, patient transporter; Lisa Dooley, technologist, Mammography; Estelle Mungin, registration desk, Mammography; Connie Huggins, R.N., Radiology Nursing; Felecia Miller, patient transporter; Kaye Pegram, R.N.; Morris Sheppard, registration desk, Nuclear Medicine; Donna Gibson, registration desk, Mammography     Friday, March 3, 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 papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.