Caring for SHC’s Caregivers
First comes the question of who will be at the Hospital for the holidays. Just as it is for patients, not being with family is hard for SHC employees, too. “The scheduling of our staff during these holidays is a labor of love,” said Susan Nekimken, RN, MPA, CMSRN and patient care manager for E2 ICU. “The nurses who do our staffing go out of their way to arrange it so that people can look forward to either Christmas or New Years at home.”
The Hospital also makes it easy for employees to help others. The Employee Events Committee distributes containers to hold donations of new toys, books, games and $10 gift cards for local families in need. Last year, SHC employees donated 741 toys. The donations from SHC and LPCH totaled almost one-quarter of the donations the Palo Alto Fire Department collected for the year. It was the largest donation to date from the two Hospitals.
And, when the actual holiday days arrive, there’s a special treat in the cafe for everyone working those shifts. “It’s all about celebrating the people that are giving up their holidays at home with families to take care of patients,” said food service compensation manager Henrietta Tillery.
Hospital employees already know about the café’s usual turkey Thursdays, but the Thanksgiving Day’s free meal goes beyond that: pumpkin soup, green salad, roast turkey, garden lasagna, baked ham with cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered baby carrots plus pumpkin or pecan pie. It is served from 10:30am-2:30pm and 4:30pm-7:00pm. “There are big lines,” Tillery said. “People look forward to it.”
Those working the night shifts get a special box lunch with cold turkey sandwich, fresh fruit and pumpkin pie.
Patients with no dietary restrictions will have the same item choices. The free meal and the special menu are offered again on Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
On December 17, the Hospital will host a holiday party for all employees in the North Cafeteria. A complimentary buffet will be served from 6-8am and 2-4pm. All staff volunteers and medical staff are welcome as well. Keep your eyes open for President and CEO Martha Marsh and other members of the senior leadership team; they will be handing out candy bars.