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Ambulatory Care recognizes employees 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 or have been “applauded” on the Patient Satisfaction Survey during the quarter are automatically eligible for the AREA Award.  Third quarter 2004 AREA Award recipients are: Carol S. Blanton, financial counselor, Women’s Health Services; Richard H. Gross, M.D., Pediatric Orthopaedics; Nicole Heyward, patient appointment representative, Pediatrics; and Tanya S. Riffe, coordinator, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Clinic.   Blanton was nominated by a patient. Her nomination stated: “Ms. Carol went above and beyond the job she had to do. She cried with me, understood my frustration in waiting, gave me every program possible I could apply for, she sincerely cared about my pain, my family, and me. She also helped me find a place for us to stay, helped me manage my time, because I lived so far away.  Gross was nominated by an employee and three patients. Comments from his nominations included: “IDX scheduled patients for a physician who was on vacation. Dr. Gross saw all these patients in between his busy OR schedule that day.” A patient's family member wrote: “We are very appreciative of the time and evaluation made by Dr. Gross and his assistant. They spent time explaining our son’s condition and responding to questions. We are fortunate to have such good and caring professionals.” Heyward was nominated by a patient. The patient stated: “I was completely lost for an appointment with my son’s doctor. Ms. Heyward stayed on the phone with me and guided me to the office for a 20 minute walk. I was at the back of buildings while her directions were from the front, different crosswalks, etc. She remained calm and did not get frustrated with me, which I really needed because I was very frustrated after waiting 4 months for my son’s appointment, he was yelling in my ear he had to go to the rest room, and then I had to pick up a 46 lb. boy, hold a cell phone, look around to see where I was and worry the doctor would not see us because we were so late. She then called the office to let them know what was going on. She may not have realized how special her patience and kindness were, but even now it brings tears to my eyes.” Riffe was nominated by her manager for receiving the 2004 Distinguished Service Award from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). An article in that organization’s publication stated: The American Dental Hygienists’ Association has named Tanya S. Riffe,  of Ravenel, as a recipient of the 2004 ADHA Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes outstanding achievement and dedication to the profession of dental hygiene. Riffe, who works for MUSC's Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Clinic, has been an active member of the dental hygiene community for more than 25 years and has held numerous positions with component and constituent dental hygiene associations, including president. Most recently, she served as an ADHA Institute of Oral Health liaison and the smoking cessation liaison. Her work within the community has included research and development of a videotape titled, “Oral Hygiene Procedures for the Bedridden Patient,” which was awarded a grant by the Health Sciences Consortium and kept on file as the only video dealing with the issue. Currently serving as president of the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, she is the first dental hygienist member of this association and has actively recruited more dental hygienists to join.”  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, an AREA Award badge holder, a Visa gift card in the amount of $50 and a cake to share with his/her coworkers.    Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 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 petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.