Having previously received the award in 2006, the Dietary Department already had the perfect place selected for the banner depicting the Department of the Quarter for the 1st quarter of 2010.
Receiving two nominations for the award, the Dietary Department is described as being the ‘bread and butter’ of the hospital as ‘they diligently prepare and serve food to both patients and employees on a routine basis’. However, during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, Dietary staff are often called upon to assist with special events in addition to continuing with the ‘routine’ of preparing and serving three meals per day to patients, employees and visitors. The annual county-wide Thanksgiving meal, the Auxiliary Christmas luncheon provided for employees, and the hospital’s annual Christmas Dinner are all examples of events that require assistance from the Dietary staff. Preparations and planning by Dietary staff, weeks and days in advance of these events, result in hospital staff enjoying delicious meals, although we are often unaware of their efforts. Kim Frazier, Director of Diagnostic Services, highlights another kindness that we may take for granted, “Dietary employees are asked for a multitude of things from staff members who have brought covered dishes from home for departmental celebrations and need a spoon, cake-cutter, ice or any other thing that may have been forgotten.” Mary Jo Frame, Director of Nursing, adds, “Dietary staff are always going out of their way doing extras for all of us. They do not complain and are really here to serve…. patients and employees alike.” Thank you, Dietary, for helping to make our celebrations special and our days nice!
