The Flulapalooza team earned the Elevate Team Award for its work planning and executing the annual event. Photo by Anne Rayner.
The Elevate Team Award, which recognizes efforts by two or more people to improve a process, solve a problem or advance organizational culture at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), was recently awarded to the team that plans and puts on Flulapalooza. The team is comprised of 25 people from the VUMC community.
“Flulapalooza is often seen as somewhat of a reunion for VUMC employees. With the fun and festive atmosphere that draws attendees from all areas of the organization, employees enjoy getting to see others around that they may not see often. This environment at Flulapalooza helps to build upon VUMC’s culture.”
Flulapalooza, a mass vaccination event, began in 2011, and has continued every year due to its success. The purpose is to improve access to the flu vaccine for the VUMC and Vanderbilt University Communities as well as allow VUMC to be prepared for a mass emergency immunization event. In 2011 Flulapalooza even earned a Guinness Book of World Records achievement for most vaccines given in one location in an eight-hour period.
The team nomination letter read in part, “By offering quick and convenient access to free flu vaccinations, Flulapalooza has played a part in helping VUMC employee flu vaccination rates increase, resulting in a safer environment for our patients where they are less likely to contract influenza during their time at VUMC.”
To win an Elevate Team Award, the team efforts must exemplify the VUMC Credo: “We provide excellence in healthcare, research and education. We treat others as we wish to be treated. We continuously evaluate and improve our performance.”
Winning teams receive up to $100 per person, or up to $1,000 total, to be spent on an approved recognition event or activity.
During the 2011 event, 12,850 vaccinations were given, with that number hovering around 14,000 every year since. For 2017, Flulapalooza volunteers performed 13,938 vaccinations.
“Flulapalooza is often seen as somewhat of a reunion for VUMC employees,” the nomination letter said. “With the fun and festive atmosphere that draws attendees from all areas of the organization, employees enjoy getting to see others around that they may not see often. This environment at Flulapalooza helps to build upon VUMC’s culture.”
To place a nomination for an Elevate Credo Award, Five Pillar Leader Award, or Team Award, visit the Elevate website to fill out a nomination form. Employees demonstrate credo behaviors when: they make those they serve the highest priority; respect privacy and confidentiality; communicate effectively; conduct themselves professionally; have a sense of ownership; and are committed to their colleagues. Elevate award nominations are accepted year round. If a nomination is received after the cut off for an award selection period, the nomination will be considered for the next period. VUMC Voice will post stories on each of the award winners in the weeks following their announcement.
