December 11, 2009

Four honored with VUMC Credo Awards

Four honored with VUMC Credo Awards

Karen Hughart, M.S.N., R.N.

Karen Hughart, M.S.N., R.N.

Karen Hughart, M.S.N., R.N., director of Systems Support Services, was presented with the Five Pillar Leader Award, which recognizes superior performance across the Medical Center's management “pillars” — service, quality, finance, people and innovation.

Waldon Garriss III, M.D.

Waldon Garriss III, M.D.

Guin Johnson

Guin Johnson

Credo Awards were presented to:

• 

Patricia Massey

Patricia Massey

Waldon Garriss III, M.D.,

• Guin Johnson, administrative manager with Vanderbilt Medical Group administration;

• Patricia Massey, service associate, Clinical Research Center.

Recipients of the Credo Award and Five Pillar Leader Award are named every three months.

Nomination forms and a list of award criteria are available on the elevate Web site (www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/elevate) and from the Vanderbilt Valet desk in Medical Center North. Repeat nominations are welcome.

At the start of each academic year, Garriss, “makes sure he has the birthdates of each nurse, patient care tech, secretary, front office staffer and fellow doctor with whom he works,” the award nomination noted. “He keeps birthday cards under his desk in case he forgets to bring the card ahead of time; but usually he remembers. He is constantly thinking of others — whether it be patients, residents, medical students, his fellow faculty members or staff.”

Johnson “is very cool under pressure and is always smiling,” the award nomination stated. “She has a very careful eye for detail and is persistent when it comes to getting things right. … I have never seen a person leave her office without a smile on their face.”

As noted on the award nomination, the Clinical Research Center is “maintained meticulously” by Massey and her staff.

“Unit cleanliness is acknowledged by passersby, who simply state 'you have the best housekeeper.' Feedback we hear about her performance is universally glorious and characterizes her as a kind, compassionate and respectful person. I hear stories of her doing personal laundry (not only for research subjects but for their family members), obtaining needed clothes for patients, and including out-of-town patient family in unit celebrations.”