Service Awards Banquet - Twenty Years

In June I will reach the weirdest achievement of working twenty years at the University of Utah Hospital.
Twenty years ago I began working as a HUC on the Orthopedic inpatient unit. To this day, I think it's one of the toughest work I did at the U. We began working thinking to myself that I would work for the U for about 2-3 years.
At my five year achievement dinner, there were several who were recognized for working twenty years. I thought how crazy it must be, "who are THESE people!?"
I've worked in registration, billing, insurance authorization, financial counseling and training. I've been in IT training for 14 years.
I'm fortunate as hell to have a job I love.
The celebration was very nice. We were invited to dinner at the Grand America hotel. The food, company, music and ambiance were wonderful.

I'm grateful to the leaders who have seen my potential and helped me be a better version of myself.

LDI Video/Slide Show

I wasn't given a lot of time but thought the challenge sounded fun and ... well, challenging.

When I worked on the pictures, I had a moment of frustration with one of the managers (who I have been less than impressed with in the past) who told me she was fine with me coming to take pictures but she couldn't see how "photographs will tell the story." She was very resistant through the entire conversation on the phone as well as while doing the photo shoot! I finally told her, "this is what I do; tell stories through pictures, so let me do what I do best." She left me alone after that. :)

All the other managers, though, were fantastic and immediately caught the vision and were asking me to try this shot and that angle and this room and that employee. Many had their staff "be the patient" so that we could get pictures of patient interaction. It was really fun.

When I put the pictures to the music that was written and sung by Jake Hendriksen (of Jake of the Web) , I was moved by the emotion of the song and the pictures I had collected and I really think it tells the story I wanted it to tell.

It was presented on Thursday by Hospital Administration to the hospital leaders through the LDI.
Here's the video/slide show:

University of Utah Hospital Photoshoots

I was honored to be asked to put together a slide show for the Leadership Development Institute (LDI)at the University of Utah Hospital. The LDI is an all day training and motivation for all directors, managers and supervisors at the University Hospital. I used to attend when it included other leaders (like trainers) but the size has been reduced to leaders in a management role. The LDI theme was based on making change for a continued better perception.

The slide show I was asked to create was to include pictures that may or may not already exist from the public affairs office. It would also need to include pictures I would take. The pictures were to be compiled to tell the story of the growth, both physical as well as in the caliber of employee, of the University Hospital since it opened it's door in the 1960s.

I met with the public affairs office (which is a job I want to have in the future) and given many amazing pictures. I tracked down pictures of the University before it opened and the various expansion projects.

I emailed managers who were identified as leading groups that are increasing their patient satisfaction scores. I was surprised at the low number of response by these managers to be recognized through pictures in this way. The ones that did respond, however, were amazing, and it was clear why their teams are doing so well in the eyes of our patients.

Here are some of my favorite pictures taken during the several days I met with various floors, units and departments.

From UNI, a couple of pictures:
From NAC unit at the main hospital:
More from UNI (housekeeping staff):
Huntsman Hospital:

Happy Employees

A couple of weeks ago, my director asked me to see if I could get some pictures of various hospital employees smiling while they work. She is creating a video that talks about how everyone makes a difference at the hospital. I love taking pictures, so I was all too happy to give it a go.

I spent one day and two evenings getting the shots I wanted and I was so pleased with the participation of the various employees. I have a ton of shots and would love to share them all, but will post the ones I loved, loved, loved:

This was by far my favorite picture. It was so candid and the OR was so awesome with me.
The OR group was AWESOME! They took me all over the OR for various shots that were my favorite shots of all my photo sessions.
Richard and a coworker. Everybody in the pulmonary lab treated me so well.
Me and Richard in the OR
I saw this guy pushing these two carts down the hallway with a smile on his face and I had to get his picture. He thought I was odd, but he stopped and let me take it.
One of my clinics is the Rehab clinic - we wanted to depict that we help our patients recover their strength.
I took a total 90 usable shots and I loved the experience. I really enjoyed meeting all of the employees working in various capacities throughout the hospital.

Happy Nurses Week!

I know it's the end of the week - technically it's Saturday morning (very early in the morning), but I still wanted to say HAPPY NURSES WEEK to my family and friends who are working in this high demand and rewarding field.

The University of Utah Hospital published a couple of videos. I liked them both.

2008 Video:


This year's video was a bit emotional but I like it. I realize these type of stories aren't unique to our institution, but I'm kind of partial.