Award Type: Spirit of Service

Dr. Richmond is an amazing doctor who always goes the extra mile for both patients and the staff. She cares deeply about her patients and listens to their needs. When a patient had strict dietary restrictions, Dr. Richmond personally talked to the patient, learned about his food preferences, and even ordered a special meal that he loved from outside the hospital. The patient felt like Dr. Richmond was taking care of him just like his mother does. We all appreciate and admire Dr. Richmond’s compassionate heart and dedication.

In March, Jacquelyn did something really special. She took part in the Bataan Memorial Death March to remember soldiers who went through tough times during World War II. She carried heavy backpacks filled with food for over 26 miles, just like they did. Jacquelyn asked our community for help and received lots of food and hygiene products to donate. She finished the march in less than 10 hours! Jacquelyn is not only a great ambassador for our hospital, but she also goes the extra mile to help others. Her courage, strength, and determination shine in everything she does. Jacquelyn is a true UMC All Star!

A patient recently commented that Dr. Biros has been so kind and attentive during their hospital stay. The family shared that Dr. Biros really listened to their concerns and helped them advocate for their daughter. She is greatly appreciated by all of us here at UMC.

Dr. Felberg does a wonderful job advocating for the care of patients in the ER and beyond. He is advocating and developing an oxygen weaning protocol for the whole hospital which will help with transition home at discharge and ensure stewardship for charges the patient has to pay. We are very thankful to have him caring for our patients, he is a wonderful asset to UMC.

When a NICU patient with multiple medical needs was hindered discharge by a home inspection failure, Kyle extended his personal care to the family. Kyle mobilized resources, acquired supplies, and dedicated a Saturday to renovate the family’s home in Idalou. This hands-on approach reflects his deep commitment to ensuring the welfare of those requiring support. Kyle’s actions at UMC perfectly exemplify how Service is our Passion, showcasing his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in people’s lives.

Dr. Arakaki is a patient and staff favorite, described as a very caring provider who creates an environment where his patients are heard. A patient recently commented on Dr. Arakaki’s concern and attentiveness, sharing how he brought her blankets to keep her warm while at the hospital. The nursing staff highlighted a moment when Dr. Arakaki assisted in putting a patient back in bed that had gotten up, helping to orient and change the patient to keep them comfortable. Dr. Arakaki shows how Service is Our Passion in everything he does.

Dr. Fenton recently made a patient’s first stay in a hospital in over 40 years a great experience. He performed an upper GI and a colonoscopy with his team, reassuring and comforting the patient by explaining everything before it happened. Dr. Fenton came to the patient’s room after the procedures and explained exactly what happened, what was found, and what was sent to pathology. In the end, Dr. Fenton left the patient feeling safe and special. Thank you, Dr. Fenton, for your thoughtful caregiving and hard work.

A pediatric social worker had been working for over two months, guiding a young patient’s mother in applying for disability for her child. During the application, there were several challenges, including language barriers and stringent processes required for approval. As a part of UMC’s Service
is Our Passion culture, Lorenzo intervened above and beyond expectations, alleviating barriers and assisting the patient’s mother side-by-side at the Disability Office, resulting in the eventual acceptance of the application and a lasting impression of UMC and its exceptional staff.

A team member recently received a patient that had a spinal done, and shortly after arrival at PACU, the patient began to show signs of serious complications. Greg immediately jumped into action, swiftly administering the appropriate treatments. The patient’s vitals quickly began normalizing, and Greg stayed for 20-30 minutes to ensure the patient didn’t suffer from another episode. As a further sign of his commitment to service, Greg stopped by every 20 minutes to check on the patient throughout the day. Greg is deeply appreciated by our team and those working alongside him.

Dr. Bell recently went out of her way to discuss a patient’s care with the team, carefully walking through a challenging and unique health situation. She treated everyone on the patient’s team with respect that went above and beyond, developing a caring environment that led to the best outcome for the patient. Thank you, Dr. Bell, for your communication, leadership, committed teamwork, and for always putting our patients first.

Dr. Fike has improved our care for pediatric surgery patients by introducing new programs and protocols to ensure we provide the best care to pediatric trauma patients. One example of Dr. Fike’s helpful programs includes a change that allows our pediatric surgery patients to undergo surgery on the same day as the consult with the pediatric surgeon. The programs she’s implemented have helped to increase our pediatric surgical visits and helped increase access for patients in our community. Dr. Fike is an amazing surgeon and is very passionate about the care she gives to our pediatric patients.

Recently, an employee experienced a heating emergency in their home, and Team UMC members, including Terry Lively from Facilities, immediately volunteered to help with the difficult situation.
Within one day, Terry helped by coordinating generous support. Terry worked closely with a charity organization and arranged for someone to fix the employee’s hot water during a very cold time. This selfless and thoughtful act exemplifies why Service is Our Passion at UMC. We are thankful for Terry jumping into action to help those in need.