When a state-of-the-art lab opened, some feared the technology and worried it would replace jobs. The results may surprise you. See how adapting to change can help members, workers and the enterprise.
When a state-of-the-art lab opened, some feared the new technology. Employees worried it would replace jobs. But the results may surprise you. See how adapting to change is helping patients, workers and Kaiser Permanente.
Meet Cynthia Hernandez, one of the Humans of Partnership.
I have a great passion for my job in Message Management. I love assisting our members with their questions, concerns, and booking the appropriate appointments for them. It keeps me going. As I head into work, I wonder how I am going to make a difference in someone's life. All day long, I call members with their test results and help them with their prescription refill requests. Being able to help members during this hard time is very inspiring. I work closely with physicians to provide members with the appropriate plan of care. I can tell this helps to alleviate some of their anxiety and stress. It makes them feel like we care for their well-being at a time like this. Member satisfaction is our goal and priority, now more than ever.
Meet Juanita McGill, one of the Humans of Partnership.
There are two things that keep me going: First is my faith and second is knowing that I can be here to support our members, management, our nurses and our hospitalists. I have learned individually and collectively the true meaning of what is involved when working together as a team. Some of us have to be willing to step up to the plate and others need to be willing to let someone else lead – and that is what has transpired. I’m seeing the true value in my supportive role within the Continuing Care Department, and that is very fulfilling.
An apprenticeship program gives an employee a career change, and a manager an empowered and effective employee.
After 20 years as an environmental services worker, Reggie Williams was ready for a change. He found an apprenticeship program that catapulted him into a new career.
Do you want a change? Visit kpcareerplanning.org, the SEIU UHW-West & Joint Employer Education Fund and the Ben Hudnall Memorial Trust websites to see what's available for you.
Meet Ronald J. Martin, one of the Humans of Partnership.
All of the fears my team has are the same fears I have. I try to connect with them and provide them with feedback and information just as I would like to hear it. What would make me understand the situation better or bring some understanding to me? I try to address their fears. Outstanding communication has been key to my employees feeling safe.
Meet Cecilia Fleming-Tumer, one of the Humans of Partnership.
She was by herself. In my heart I knew that no one should die alone. So, I opened the isolation cart and began to pull out PPE. Once inside, I pulled up the chair and took hold of the patient’s hand. I began speaking to her, telling her who I was and that, although she didn’t know me, I cared about her and she was not alone. I continued speaking with her as I rubbed her arm and brushed the hair from her face. For some reason, I felt that she was listening to me, that she could hear me, for at times her breathing and body seemed to become more relaxed and calmer, as if she was being reassured by my words. At least, that was my hope. I sat with her for an hour or so, leaving only for a quick meeting. Over the next couple of hours, I returned to the unit to watch her through the window or check on her by calling the charge nurse. Prior to returning to the unit for the last time, I called the charge nurse to let her know I was on my way back and was told that the patient had passed away. I went back to my office, closed the door and cried.
Meet Joanna Pantig, one of the Humans of Partnership.
I go to work every day in fear of getting sick and in fear of seeing patients decline. But I care so much to be present for the patients and my co-workers. Seeing patients get better and go home is fulfilling. In times like these, the teamwork I have with every member of the health care team keeps me going. We show up to work to support one another. Not only nurses, but Environmental Services and lift technicians are vital to our unit. The staff and I always find ways to laugh through the stress. We’re all in this together and we will get through it.
Meet Andrew Calderon, one of the Humans of Partnership.
It's not really just one moment, but various moments that highlight the successes and difficulties during this time. I've spent much of my time in the ICU, and the special moments for me are when I've had the privilege of helping patients get better and, ultimately, be transferred off the unit. Conversely, it is always trying when patients we work so hard to save don't get better.
Meet Talitha Marquez, one of the Humans of Partnership.
‘If you’re going, I’m going.’ That’s how that started. We had just heard that the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center was short-staffed, and they needed help. My personality is, I need detail. I need more information. At this point, I knew nothing, but I couldn’t let my buddy go alone. It didn’t matter that we didn’t know what we were going into. We needed each other and we had each other. We were all scared but to know that I wasn’t in it alone, he wasn’t in it alone, that made it better.