February Employees of the Month

Elena Rivers, Anabel Sanchez and Hazel Washington, Birth Clerk and Paternity team
"Working with the needs of the patient, the Birth Clerk and Paternity Team approaches the parents of the children as if they were their own. They have even met parents at the car when discharging in order to get the signatures they need; thus avoiding costly delays for the parents and the hospital. In January, the team was recognized by Department of Health and Environment Control SC Regional Hospital rankings as No. 2 in the state. They had completed 515 births certificates with zero late births as determined by management. The team's percentages caught the eye of others involved with the MUSC Magnet Journey and their positive percentages will now be included with other areas. They also were recognized for Best Practices in the state publication for South Carolina Parenting Opportunity Program and the Department of Social Services. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence therefore, is not an act, but a habit. Thus, the Birth Clerk and Paternity Team at MUSC is now in the habit of changing what's possible for the children of South Carolina."
Nominated by Elice Graham

Corey Grooms,Transplant
"A few years ago we had a young male patient who needed a cord blood transplant and he did not have any related or unrelated donor options on the national donor registry. At that time MUSC did not perform cord blood transplants and patients were sent to another university. The patient did not have the funding to meet the other university's minimum requirements for the transplant cost and was rejected for a new patient evaluation. Corey continued to work the case for many months and was able to help the family obtain funds through state supportive programs. The mother called last month and thanked Corey for saving her son's life, and for his time, financial knowledge, dedication and caring heart. I appreciate that Corey did not give up and worked for many months to obtain the transplant funds."
Nominated by Cindy Kramer

Charlie Smith, Rutledge Tower Pharmacy
"It was the day before a holiday and everyone was anxious to go home. During the late afternoon, three patients' transplant medication orders arrived by tube to the pharmacy. Transplant orders are Charlie Smith's specialty. They can be very involved dealing with insurance companies and getting them to pay for the high cost of these medications. Charlie stayed on the phone with the insurance companies for quite some time trying to sort out the details. He even delivered the medication to the patient. Charlie shows MUSC Excellence in everything he does. The patient's needs always comes first. We are very proud to have Charlie as a member of our Rutledge Tower Pharmacy team."
Nominated by Brenda Fauteux

Liz Nista, Transplant Center
"Liz joined the Salvation Army in 2003 to start the Angel Tree Toy Drive at MUSC. Every December Liz spends her spare time planning and arranging each child's wish list to be distributed. She continues each year to plan the success of the Angel Tree project while continuing to do her full time job. Liz spends every lunch hour picking up the toys from overflowing boxes on campus and making phone calls throughout the day including to the Salvation Army for additional angels. Since all the Angel Tree participants loved parading the children's donated bikes and toys around the Horseshoe, Liz decided to form the Angel Tree Parade along with the toy drive. Thank you Liz for taking the time to help MUSC make a difference in the community."
Nominated by Cindy Kramer

February Physician of the Month
Michelle Hudspeth, M.D., Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology
"Dr. Michelle Hudspeth is a physician who always adds special touches to each of her transplant patients to keep their spirits uplifting. Sometimes she sings and dances in patient rooms, buys presents, makes house visits, and goes to Congress to testify for the drug shortage. There was a young Clemson college student who will never graduate college because his leukemia is resistant to all treatments including his transplant. His goal in life was to go to medical school so he continued all treatments offered to beat his odds of fighting the disease. All his treatments options have been exhausted, and there is nothing left to offer this intelligent and caring young man. Dr. Hudspeth met with the dean of the College of Medicine to discuss his options since an honorary degree could not be granted. The dean offered a letter of acceptance to the College of Medicine to the young patient. The bone marrow transplant team joined Dr. Hudspeth in the patient's room as the dean read the acceptance letter to medical school. I know this patient and his family will be forever grateful to Dr. Hudspeth's contributions and exceptional care."
Nominated by Cindy Kramer