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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 received an “Applause for Caring” card or were “applauded” on the Patient Satisfaction Survey during the quarter are automatically eligible for the AREA Award.   Third quarter 2005 AREA Award recipients are: Tara D. Backman, patient registration representative, Pediatric Endocrinology; Sunil J. Patel, M.D., Neurosurgery; Stacey J. Ribble, R.N., clinical care coordinator, Pediatrics; and Angela M. Schlechta, financial counselor, Storm Eye Institute. Backman was nominated by one of her coworkers who stated the following: “Her professionalism is noted by staff and patients on a daily basis. Recently in our pediatric clinic, a patient’s grandmother was suddenly nonresponsive by Tara's desk where she works in registration and scheduling for our area. She immediately called the nursing staff to evaluate the visitor’s status. Working in tandem with clinic staff she called the code to alert emergency personnel and remained calm and professional during the code. She comforted the family of the grandparent, and made sure they were aware of all events occurring during the event. The Pediatric Endocrinology/Developmental staff at Rutledge Tower works as a cohesive, caring team, and Tara is a wonderful example of an employee who always goes the extra mile to ensure patient satisfaction and patient safety.” Patel was nominated by two of his patients who had the following words to say about him: “Dr. Patel is one of the nicest doctors I have met. He truly cares about his patients. Dr. Patel did my first surgery in 2003 and recently a second surgery. During the last two years he has always made himself available when I needed him. He even returns calls on the weekend. When I came home from the hospital, he took the time to call me on a Saturday to make sure everything was going well. He answers all of my questions and makes sure that I understand the answers. He has made what could have been a very stressful time easy. I hope and pray to never need surgery again, but if I do, I know I will be OK in the skilled hands of Dr. Patel.” And “Dr. Patel gave my husband his life back. Although the tumor was benign, (we thank the Lord and the power of prayer) with the caring attitude and the hands of an angel Dr. Patel removed it without any complications. We will applaud this doctor for life. We will now make MUSC our hospital of choice due to your wonderful staff and loving care.” Ribble was nominated by an employee who shared many of Ribble’s attributes in her nomination. Some of these include: “Stacey has two pediatric areas that she is responsible for. Each day she bounces back and forth between areas ensuring that patients are seen quickly and that staff does not need help. Stacey is the type of employee who is able to fill in for staff members to get the job done. Whether it is intake on the front end or complex skills and treatments in the Day Treatment area, Stacey can do it all.” And “Day treatment is an area that involves a lot of technical skill. Stacey is a highly competent nurse in this area and an excellent role model for the others that work there. In the past year there were many days when staff memberswere out sick and Stacey staffed the unit as well as maintained her other CCC duties. In addition, whenever there is a ‘hard stick, difficult port, or GT tube,’ staff always relies upon Stacey to save the day. During our recent code situations in Peds ambulatory care, Stacey is one of the responding nurses we rely upon to ‘get a line started.’ Her competency in IV skills is valued by all. Stacey is an employee who is at work every day, doing her job and participating in the high quality of care that we provide for our pediatric patients. She gives staff the benefit of the doubt and she never takes the spotlight. Peds Ambulatory Care would not be the same without her consistent, competent, caring approach to her work and her patients everyday.” Schlechta was nominated by three of her coworkers. The nominations included the following: “In May I was hired on as a financial counselor. Angela has been so very patient with me through my extreme learning curve. She has gone out of her way to help me learn my desk, while keeping up with hers. Although, I have been on the job three months, whenever I have a questions or I am uncomfortable with a situation, she is always willing to stop what she is doing to guide me in the right direction, and to give me the reassurance that I need. I have seen her take control of patient issues, and turn the upset and angry to calm and relaxed. I can only hope others are as lucky to have someone like Angela train them.”   The Ambulatory Care Prize Patrol surprised each individual in his/her practice setting. Each recipient received an AREA Award lapel pin, a framed certificate, an AREA Award badge holder, a $50 gift card and a cake to share with coworkers.  Friday, Dec. 16, 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.