2013 Service Excellence Kickoff

A big thank you goes out to those who came to the Kickoff. For those who were unable to attend here are the topics that were discussed:

• New Culture Club - selecting new Quarterbacks for the 2013 Culture Club that has been re-structured to no longer require travel. Both Phoenix and Northwest has spaces available if you are interested in becoming a Culture Club Quarterback please email Svetlana Mijalski at NW.
• 2013 Activities Survey Results - in the last couple of weeks a survey was passed around to get the staff's ideas on activities for the upcoming year. The top acitivites of 2012 to return in 2013 and some of the suggestions for the new year were:
• 2012 Most Popular Activities
• Ice Cream Social (NW & PHX)
• Italian Food (NW)
• Mexican Food & Breakfast (NW)
• Team Jerseys and Jean Fridays (NW & PHX)
• Staff Suggestions
• pot luck
• talent show
• movie night
• Holiday gift exchange
• design a shirt for hospital week
• turkey bowling
• guess this ointment/medication
• bookfar
• Blog winners - CONGRATULATIONS!
• Northwest
• 1st: Veronica Garcia, Pharmacy Tech
• 2nd: Paula Franklin, Infection Control/Employee Health
• 3rd: Carmelita Washbaugh, Nurse Supervisor
• Phoenix
• 1st: David Iniquez, BO
• 2nd: Lee Randolph, Med Staff Coordinator
• 3rd: Linda Schaeffer, Dietitian

Thank you to those who attended the kickoff, those who filled out and turned in an activity survey and those who visited the blog! All of the ideas will be considered for 2013 activities!

Employee Forums

Mark you calenders to attend the next employee forum to hear directly from the CEOs what is going on within Kindred in an open dicussion forum.


Phoenix: January 24st, 2012
Northwest: January 31st, 2012



*dates are subject to change, please check the blog frequently for any schedule changes.

January Birthdays

Happy Birthday to our January Birthdays!

January Fun Facts

• Birthstone: Garnet
• Zodiacs: Capricorn & Aquarius
• Flower: Carnation
• January comes from the Latin word ianua meaning door. It is named after the god of the doorway, Janus (Ianuarious). January is known as the door to the year. It is one of the seven months that has thirty one days.

NORTHWEST PHOENIX BIRTHDAYS

Maria Valenzuela, RN: 1/6

Sandra Lineweaver, Dietician: 1/10

Aaron Hansen, Radiology Tech: 1/14

Osezua Aletor, RN-ICU: 1/21

Sherlynn McKenzie, LPN: 1/21

Lana Therio, Respiratory Therapist: 1/29

Lourdes Valencia, CNA: 1/29

Eudon Seril, RN-ICU: 1/31

PHOENIX BIRTHDAYS

Davina Doster, Billing: 1/1

Victoria Jones, Respiratory Therapist: 1/1

Celestine Amoako, RN: 1/2

Vicenta Jimenez, EVS: 1/2

Yolanda Hernandez, EVS: 1/3

Carri Huerta, A/P: 1/7

Dena Heck, Case Manager: 1/11

Bernardita Daite, RN: 1/15

Deborah Platero, Medical Records: 1/19

Mirela Baron, RN: 1/20

Jordan Basco, CCO: 1/20

Stephen Howe, RN-ICU: 1/20

Dricila Light, Respiratory Therapist: 1/23

Michael Dixon, Dir. of Marketing: 1/25

Donna Allen, Wound Care: 1/27

William Emmons, Cook: 1/28

Northwest - Join us on January 31st for the birthday celebration in the Dining Room at 2pm (Phoenix's celebration occured on January 18th)

2013 Culture Club Drafts

West Region Announces their 2013 Case Management Scholarship Awardees

We are proud to announce the Case Management Scholarship awardees for 2013 (below). We congratulate these case managers in pursuing their higher education and we are proud to invest in (and support) their growth and development! We are growing our future CM leaders for Kindred...

• Linda Herbert, MSSA, MA, LMSW, ACHP-SW, Area Director of Case Management, Kindred Hospitals – (Phoenix and Phoenix Northwest, Arizona, Southwest District). Linda plans to enter her Doctorate program with University of Arizona in 2013.
• Kim Schauman, RN, DCM at Sacramento Kindred, Northwest District. Kim is currently enrolled with University of Phoenix to pursue her BSN.
• Sharon- Brown Warren, RN, BSN, CCM, case manager at DeLima/St. Rose, Las Vegas Integrated Market. Sharon will be pursuing her MSN.

West Region awards (up to) 4 Case Management Scholarships every year, for those employees who are willing and indicate dedication to pursue their education. The $6000 Scholarship award helps the employee financially pursue a degree program while working, and requires a Retention Agreement signed through Human Resources. As well, the employee can access the regular $2500 per year tuition reimbursement available through Human Resource guidelines.

Kindred also has two Academic Partnerships that offer the benefits of tuition reimbursement reductions and deferment of payment (*under program guidelines) to Kindred employees. The two existing partnerships are American Sentinel University located in Aurora, Colorado (online programs), and University of Phoenix (campus onsite or online programs). However, the employee can use any University and is not limited to the two existing Academic Partnerships.

Healthy Steps: Know Your Numbers

Know Your Numbers – Both you and your covered spouse/domestic partner must complete a health screening from January 1, 2013-March 29, 2013 in order for you to maintain the Healthy Rewards rate through September 30, 2013.  Beginning January 1, 2013 go to www.healthystepswellness.com and schedule your appointment at a local Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center or if you prefer obtain a form and visit your Primary Care Physician.

KEEP IN MIND:

Challenge Yourself – Both you and your covered spouse/domestic partner must participate in special healthy challenges throughout the year and earn 4000 points by September 15, 2013 in order for you to maintain the Healthy Rewards rate through December 31, 2013.

Welcome 2013

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year!!!