The First Annual Starfish Recognition Ceremony was held on November 9 in the Bornstein Amphitheater to honor all of the BWH employees who have received the award since the program’s inception in August 1999. Speakers included Matthew Van Vranken, chief operating officer; Nancy Kruger, RN, vice-president, Patient Care Services; and Sharon Rodriguez, RN, co-chairperson, Starfish Program. The featured speaker was former patient James Higgins (pictured, left) who nominated several staff members for Starfish awards in July 2000 and spoke eloquently about the care he received and how that care was delivered by caring, competent and dedicated employees.
Following his speech, Higgins received a gift from Colleen Murtagh, (center) patient/family representative and Rodriguez (right).
In all, 192 staff members—including RNs, physicians, unit associates, patient care assistants, transporters, dietary, care coordination and pharmacy—have received the Starfish award. The goals of the Starfish program are to increase awareness of the need to provide emotional support to patients, families and colleagues; as well as to provide ongoing recognition of those BWH employees who are providing the model of exceptional emotional support. This program came about as a result of the Picker Survey Data in 1998, and from information gathered from the Employee Survey in 1999.
—Submitted by Sharon Rodriguez, RN