Throughout the pandemic, Niagara Health team members have been meeting virtually and minimizing face-to-face interactions for everyone's safety. During the last few weeks, senior leaders across Niagara Health had the opportunity to visit units to thank team members for their efforts to support patients, families and their colleagues.
Thank You Rounds, which took place during the end of July, were a way for Niagara Health's Executive Team and senior leaders to thank staff and physicians in person for the extraordinary care they provide to patients and families.
"We wanted to thank our entire team in person for the kindness and compassion they show towards our patients and families, and for one another," says Sandy Traynor, Niagara Health's Workplace Relations Manager who coordinated the initiative with the Workplace Relations and Human Resources teams.
Senior leaders wore shirts with messages of support, including "We want to say thank you for everything you do!" and "#InItTogether - Saluting our team."
"It was wonderful to meet staff and physicians at all of our sites and thank them for the tremendous work they've done, and the commitment they have shown to Niagara Health and to the residents of Niagara, during the last several months," says Niagara Health President Lynn Guerriero. "It's because of them that we have successfully managed this disease thus far and I feel privileged to have them as colleagues."
At the end of each day, after visiting units, the Workplace Relations team would receive voice messages from team members noting how much the visits meant to them. One team member cried when leaders showed up to extend their appreciation, as she was overwhelmed and grateful that they took the time to visit in person.
"We wanted everyone to see how important they are, and understand how their work fits into the big picture," says Flo Paladino, Executive Vice-President, People and Organizational Development, Niagara Health. "It's important to us that everyone in the organization knows the value they bring and how important their contributions are. Being able to express our appreciation to our teams for their work during the pandemic, face-to-face, has been the highlight of my week."
As part of the initiative, Thank You Banners are posted in site lobbies and on COVID units at our St. Catharines Site, where everyone can write messages of encouragement for Niagara Health team members.
