Blogs

September 28, 2012 - Week's wrap-up

Sep 28, 2012 by Marc Strode, CEO
Folks,
Great to have rain falling on Del Rio! Hopefully summer's in the rear-view and we can look forward to 80's and 70's versus 90's and 100's. You, like me right now, might prefer to be under the confines of a warm blanket in front of the TV or curled up w/ a good book. This "crud" has gotten a hold of me and know has claimed Vicky who is out today...although I'm sure I'll get the blame for passing that to her!

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to a weekend of recuperation and rest after a very busy week. Our census has had a nice boost the 2nd half of the month, and it's always good to see 2 Station bustling with activity.

After starting slow this fiscal year in July, we bounced back in August with September also looking promising.

We say goodbye to Dr. Sebesta today, our traveling urologist who has been with us for several weeks. I know the Surgical group took him to dinner last night to wish him well, and I told him we'd keep in touch b/c maybe he can help fill some gaps down the road. Dr. Frank Carpio will be here Oct-15-29, and this will be an important 2 weeks for him to test-drive VVRMC and make sure this is all a good fit for next year.

I want to share one more letter to tack on to the few I shared earlier in the week....actually a letter and a text. First, the letter is from Nan who we've all come to know well in her short tenure at VVRMC. She works in RT and always has a bright, shiny smile on her face! She wanted me to know that the Pipeline that brought her to Del Rio is taking her on down the road in a month or so. Also, that of all the hospitals she's ever worked in--big or small--this has been the finest. She said her expectations of coming to a border town and what she might find in the level of healthcare were rather low. We blew her socks off! Nan--thanks for the kind words. I've enjoyed working w/ you and will miss that bright, shiny smile comin' around the corner.

Next, I got a text message yesterday while sitting in the Board Meeting. It was from one of our patients that runs one of the large auto groups here in town. She and I have visited a couple of times and talked about Service in Del Rio. We are both new comers, and we are both working hard to elevate Service in our own shops. She happened to have to come into the ER yesterday and said she and her husband were very impressed with the Service start to finish. She wanted to share "nice job" to all involved. That's cool!

United Way Fundraising is wrapping up. We are working toward our goal of $20,000. A big thanks to to Susie's crew for humpin' it on short notice on Monday to mobilize an employee car wash that raised $400. Martha, Michael, Lawrence, Danny, Keith, Amy, Priscilla, Omega, Ivonne, Irvin, Robert and Steve made it happen and we are grateful for your effort! And today cooking excellent burgers in the rain was Marco! Thanks for weathering the storm and making lunch for us all. Burgers were yummy! We'll get a tally early next week where we landed through September.

Lastly, wanted to make mention that one of the big clusters around employee engagement comments had to do w/ the cafeteria. You've heard me say we are making big plans to rehab the dining area and come up w/ some creative food offerings. Until the construction ball comes, we have a new idea to hold us over. Jed has created on a weekly basis starting in October a "guest Chef" series where folks who have a favorite recipe can come prepare it and serve it on the line under his supervision! This ought to be a whole lot of fun seeing what we come up with. I think I am starting it off and will be preparing my famous Turkey Eggs! Come hungry that mornin'!!!!! Stay tuned for more details.

Have a great weekend and stay safe.

Keep the Spirit,
Marc