Nutritional Services helps associates feel engaged

Alicia Moreno usually can be found behind-the-scenes at the Memorial Hospital cafeteria.

But this Nutritional Services associate recently took center stage to assist with a project her director wanted to introduce to recognize outstanding employees.

Alicia is currently working toward a career in elementary education. And like any good teacher, she loves to decorate bulletin boards.

“I wanted to redo our bulletin board and had this flicker of an idea,” said Gail Weismann, Nutritional Services director. “I asked Alicia if she would like to design and construct it.”

Together, they came up with the idea of an “engagement” ring.

“It’s a funny little pun, I think,” said Alicia, who has worked at Memorial for more than three years. “People really seem to take notice of it, and maybe makes them feel like they are recognized for what they do here.”

The board highlights the monthly “engaged” associate of the month in Nutritional Services. Julia Gary, the Epworth team lead, is featured for the month of March. Denise Rinehart received the recognition in January, while Marla Harrison was crowned in February. Once a new winner is announced, the previous winner gets his or her picture on one of the stars.

The monthly winner is announced at the Nutritional Services monthly department meeting, where he or she receives a small prize and a lovely “pseudo” engagement ring, Weismann said.

Alicia, who plans to graduate from IU South Bend in May 2019, believes projects like the “Let’s Get Engaged” bulletin board are important ways to engage associates at Beacon.

“I think associates feel engaged when our ideas and extra help is recognized, or when associates are given opportunities to be involved with bettering their department,” she said.

*What is your unit or department doing to improve associate engagement? Let us know by emailing us at TheBeam@beaconhealthsystem.org.

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