January 03, 2008
“Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your
duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish
to do less.”- General Robert E. Lee
The latest group of Quality Champions was announced at the
Holiday Punch in the Sebago Room on 12-20-07. These fine employees
join an even larger group of Riverview Psychiatric Center staff
recognized for their good nature, pride in their work and overall
passion for what they do. These staff represent the “owners” of
the hospital. Those who consistently take responsibility for
implementing improvements, finding solutions, and pushing to
achieve ever rising expectations of excellence in everything
Riverview. I hope you find things to emulate in each of them.
I know I do. Quality champions are Riverview staff who take
chances, dare new approaches, risk being wrong, and express
the courage to achieve. Although they are not always “perfect”,
they are likely to be acting, doing, and always making a difference.
I applauded each and every one of you. So please take a moment
and say “Good job” to these fine staff.
Stephanie George-Roy
Director of Social Work: Stephanie is a tireless worker and
advocate for client care. She provides excellent leadership
and supervision for her department as well as providing direct
service to the US unit. The bridges she has created with our
community providers have made a real difference in our ability
to transition clients to the community. Stephanie is a creative
and energetic group leader and a role model for "can
do" spirit for us all.
Diana Brown, LPN UK
Diana Brown, LPN is a conscientious and dedicated employee who
always makes sure our medication room is survey ready. She is
a highly respected member of the Upper Kennebec team. Diana
has recently transitioned from the medication room to primary
nursing with ease and professionalism. She is always calm and
steadfast focused on meeting client needs.
Kathy Smith – Building Operations
This employee helps the facility receive and transfers over
2000 calls a month. Kathy is often the first contact the public
has with this hospital and she is pleasant, prompt and professional,
always providing good customer service to all our consumers.
Kathy also willingly helps with numerous requests from different
supervisors, such as paging people, typing documents, putting
different manuals together. Keeping our in-house phone book
up to date with employee’s current phone numbers Kathy
has expanded her value to RPC by being one of 5 operators
that went from answering phones to learning a new security
system, heating system, fire system, duress system, and TTY
system.
Jarrod Thibodeau - LK
MHW I 3-11 shift - Jarrod is a hard worker who always comes
to work with a good attitude - he is dependable and always
willing to take on extra work without complaints. He takes
charge when needed and makes logical Recovery based decisions.
Susan Hill LK
MHW 3 & milieu manager - Sue has worked here for many years
and keeps all the MHWs on track 7-3. She also runs a group weekly
and manages a patient assignment. She demonstrates leadership
skills on daily basis and works well with all disciplines. Sue
has a good sense of humor and mentors newer staff. She has worked
as a med tech in the past and has a good working knowledge of
medications. Sue has been instrumental in developing and encouraging
clients to utilize de-escalation tools.
Jessica Williams LK
MHW I 7-3 - Jessica runs a group weekly on LK and is always
ready with a smile, assistance, words of encouragement and a
nonjudgmental ear to listen to concerns. She does all kinds
of extras for the unit and team, making posters, fruit bowls,
helping clients with special requests. She often does OT, flex
time or whatever she can to lighten the load of another.
Laura Cutler LK
MHW I 7-3 for her consistent empathy and respect towards clients
and staff. She does extra shifts, assignments, whatever people
need. Laura has shown leadership ability, often running the
unit when MM is not in. She has a great sense of humor and works
hard each day. Clients thoroughly enjoy her smile and willingness
to listen and have commented on how helpful she is.
Kristen Piela - Dietary
Kristen works tirelessly to oversee the preparation and serving
of over 300 meals a day as well as the preparation and coordination
of 20 snack trays a day served to clients on the unit. Kristen
goes the extra mile in developing Holiday meals for clients
during Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years Eve and Easter,
as well as coordinates several out door cooking events during
the summer months. Kristen also handles all of the ordering,
storage of food stuffs, ensuring the food is fresh and high
quality. Kristen supervises the nutritional assessment on
clients, which translates into healthier meals, and improved
client health. Kristen does all this maintaining a positive,
helpful attitude, always available for her staff to help them
achieve success and always willing at the last minute, to
do special events, and client related celebrations.
Barbara Tounge - staffing
Barbara Tounge- Barbara has worked at AMHI/ Riverview for 25
years. Most of her time was spent on the units as a MHW. Since
1999 Barbara has been a key member of the Staffing Office.
Barbara always has a special way of interacting with all staff
and "encouraging" them to work to staff the hospital.
She is a tireless cheerleader for our staff often providing
the listening ear and support that is needed. Barbara, thanks
for being a continuous "Quality Champion"
Dr. Carolyn Criss:
Dr. Criss has served as a psychiatrist on the Lower Saco forensic
unit for over two years. She has also distinguished herself
as the Chairperson of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
She has brought needed leadership to the forensic unit with
her steadfast devotion to quality medical practice, sound
decision-making, and advocacy for her clients with the legal
system. She has shown maturity and poise in dealing with difficult
situations on her unit. She has the highest respect by the
nursing staff and her peers.
Stephanie Keller:
Dr. Stephanie Keller has been a staff pharmacist
for less than a year, but in that short time has brought a wealth
of knowledge and skill to the pharmacy and to the hospital at
large. She has instituted a major program of medication reviews
and consultations to assist the medical staff in dealing with
challenging clients. She recently attained the honor of Board
Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist, one of only three holders
in the State of Maine. Riverview is very fortunate to have someone
with Stephanie's knowledge and skill.
Patrick Cote:
Patrick Cote has worked at Riverview for several years. He began
as a staff nurse on the Forensic Unit, then became the Nurse
Educator. In the past year he has served often as NOD. We
appreciate Patrick's flexibility and willingness to help out
in any way that he is needed. His many skills are a great
gift to Riverview. Thank you Patrick for all you do to help
Riverview be the best it can be.
Terry Hayward: LK
Terry Hayward is a MHW 3 & TTC - he has been here for about
30 years and has worked in a number of different capacities.
Terry keeps the team on LK organized with scheduling team meetings
and scribing them. He assists the PSD with audits, floor coverage, & transports
for clients in the community. Terry is a NAPPI instructor and
assists with new employee orientation. Terry is frequently utilized
to assist clients who have a long history with RPC to transition
to the community.
As we start off this new year, I want to make a wish that
I believe can come true for every Riverview employee. I wish
everyone purpose and meaning in what you do, the joy of knowing
you are a positive impact on others, and the chance to learn
and grow. I hope you experience the above and are able to share
in that experience with others.
As always, I thank each of you for your good work.
In Service,
David S. Proffitt
“Every right implies a responsibility; Every opportunity,
an obligation, Every possession, a duty”. - John D.
Rockefeller
