December 15, 1998

Congratulations to Michael Gallo for being selected the AREA/Applause Employee of the Year! Also, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who received an AREA/Applause award throughout the year and to the AREA/Applause committee which has done an exceptional job in reviewing all Applause cards.

Al Nesmith, director of Safety, Security and Volunteer Services for the Medical Center, reminded everyone of the holiday decorations policy (found in Section IX of the MUSC Occupational Safety and Health Manual). Any questions or comments you have concerning decorations should be directed to the Department of Occupational Safety and Health at 792-3604.

The MUSC Board of Trustees recently had a productive meeting. Among other things, the Board elected committee chairs, as listed below, and an external audit report conducted by the Rogers & Laban firm was presented.

The audit report covered the entire MUSC and indicated that revenue climbed to $634.8 million while expenditures rose to $659.2 million. The auditor’s report was consistent with a presentation focusing only on the Medical Center given by Lisa Montgomery, administrator for Financial Services, to the Medical Center management team recently. The auditor’s report was well summarized in a Dec. 15 article published in the local newspaper. Anyone interested in the article can obtain a copy by calling 792-4120.

The strategic plan for the clinical enterprise of the Medical University was approved in principle by the Board of Trustees in October 1998. We now are ready to begin to roll out the plan, designate responsible parties, and begin the implementation process. More information will be forthcoming after the first of the year.

Happy Holidays!

W. Stuart Smith, Interim Vice President for Clinical Operations Interim CEO, MUSC Medical Center

1998 AREA/Applause Employee of the Year

• Marc Williams, manager, Clinical Neurophysiology Services, and chair of the AREA/Applause Awards Committee, announced the Employee of the Year. Michael Gallo, a paramedic with Meducare, was selected as the 1998 AREA/Applause Employee of the Year for 1998. Gallo was chosen by the Applause Committee from the pool of applause winners from the year.
• In February 1998, while transporting a patient home, the Meducare transport team thought they were only taking the patient to Pawley’s Island. When they arrived, they found that the patient actually lived on a small island across from Pawley’s Island. The shuttle boat was not big enough for everyone nor was it properly set up to transport the patient, who also could not swim. Gallo secured the patient to a safety chair with a life jacket that he could release if needed and it would allow the patient to still be able to float. He also provided life jackets for the other passengers. His concern for the patient was relayed to the driver who was instructed to go as slow as possible. Gallo then, after making sure the patient was safely across to the island, continued his efforts ensuring the patient was properly transferred to her bed.
• Gallo was presented with a plaque recognizing him as the 1998 AREA/Applause Employee of the Year, and it will be noted on his nameplate outside the cafeteria. Gallo also received a monetary award for his actions. Congratulations Michael Gallo for going above and beyond the normal call of duty!

MUSC Board of Trustees Committees

• At the December board meeting, new committee chairs were elected. The committee structure is significant because it sets forth the mechanism for the Medical Center’s reporting and approval process. While all committees are important, the Medical Center’s work is of particular concern to the Hospital and Patient Care Committee and the Finance and Administration Committee. The committees and their respective chairs include:
• Melvyn Berlinsky-reelected chairman of the Education, Faculty and Student Affairs Committee
• Cotesworth Fishburne-reelected chairman of the Development, Public Relations, External Affairs and Personnel Committee
• Dr. Stanley Baker-reelected chairman of the Hospital and Patient Care Committee
• Sen. Robert Lake-reelected chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee, and
• Donald McElveen-elected chairman of the Research Activities Committee replacing Dr. Thomas Rowland who was recently named chairman of the MUSC Board of Trustees.

Announcements

• Christmas Day Meal Tickets—Steve Hopkins, general manager, Dietetic Services, announced that free meal tickets will be available for employees who must work on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. The tickets can be picked up from his office, EH 110B first floor Children’s Hospital, on Tuesday or Wednesday, Dec. 22 and 23, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Performance Appraisals—Stuart Smith again reminded the management team of the importance of completing performance appraisals in a timely manner. Plans are to improve methods for holding supervisors accountable as we move forward.
• Communications Meetings Cancelled—The Communications Meetings for Dec. 22 and 29 are cancelled. The management team will meet again on Jan. 5, at the usual time and location.