Sonjii Kinch continued...

She is interested in becoming a Nurse and is taking pre-requisite classes at Bunker Hill Community College. In addition to working full-time, Sonjii is raising her 8 year-old son as a single parent. Her family has been extremely supportive while she pursues her education. Sonjii’s manager has encouraged her every step of the way and wrote recommendations for school and her scholarship. Her biggest challenge has been financing her education. Sonjii would like to be able to go to school full-time and work part-time but that will depend on the financial aid and scholarship money. Her career coach has been instrumental in navigating the educational system with Sonjii as well as being an incredible support to her. She even attended Sonjii’s graduation in June. Sonjii would encourage others to take advantage of the PCWD program and all it has to offer.

Robin Volante continued...

Robin loves her job and wants her staff to enjoy coming to work each day. She has an open door policy and encourages employees to come and talk with her about anything. She takes her role as manager seriously and feels that it is her responsibility to encourage each employee to learn as much as they can and then move on to a higher position in the organization. She finds creative ways including continuous recognition of her staff to make the department run smoothly while fostering a working environment where people want to come every day. She feels strongly that her employees continue their education and training and tries to accommodate scheduling flexibility even if she has to cover for one of them. One of Robin’s employees, Sonjii Kinch, a PCWD participant, is currently taking pre-requisite classes for nursing at Bunker Hill Community College and describes Robin as being supportive every step of the way.

Hilda Hernandez

Hilda is working hard on improving her English skills. She completed the PCWD Reading and Writing Class for Non-Native Speakers and has also explored other careers through classes at the Red Cross in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. After taking the Certified Nursing Assistant class, she decided that was not the career for her. However, the education and skills she learned in the class have helped her in her personal life. Hilda is a single mother and lives with her sister and her nephew who is severely disabled. She has been able to assist in the caring of her nephew at home. She would like to become a Spanish translator one day and will continue to further her education in English and then apply to college.

Krys Klincewicz continued...

As Krys benefited from a supportive and encouraging manager when he began his career, he now feels responsible as a manager to give back and support his staff as they improve their language skills and strive to move up. At least 6 employees from Krys’s department enrolled in the PCWD Program and worked with a career coach. Five of them have recently been promoted and moved into new jobs within Mass General in other departments such as the Chemistry Lab, Echo Lab, Radiology, Endoscopy and Pre-Admission Clinic. This is a testimony to Krys’ ability and determination to foster an environment where continuous improvement is rewarded and celebrated. With 140 direct reports, he feels the holes when there are vacancies in his department but he is genuinely happy for those who end up leaving for other opportunities. Krys holds monthly staff meetings and advertises educational and skill building opportunities at these meeting and encourages his staff to take advantage of them. As the demands on the staff increase both in volume (700 transports/day) and skill, he realizes the importance of ensuring his staff has the language skills necessary to keep up with the new technology. An automated dispatch system is now being piloted in the department and requires an increased level of English language skills. Krys fully embraces the idea of creating a pipeline of skilled employees to move up within the hospital. When he has vacancies, they are often filled by employees in Environmental Services or Nutrition and Food Services interested in advancing within the organization. He is a great role model for his staff and other managers within MGH.

Norma Abdullah continued...

Prior to Nursing School, Norma completed her BS degree from Newbury College in Health Care Administration. Norma is a single mother, works full-time and has been diligently pursuing her dream to become a nurse. The on-site classes made it possible for Norma to successfully complete this program. She has continues to learn and develop new skills as her job has become more sophisticated and has increased her value to the department considerably. Mike Sullivan, Norma’s manager has been a tremendous support over the years and has encouraged her to push herself and reach her goals. In October 2005, Norma had to have major surgery and was out for 2 months. During that time she received frequent check-in calls from her manager, co-workers and the physicians she supports. “Everyone in the department has been so good to me,” says Norma. She is extremely proud of her accomplishments; through perseverance and hard work, she is well on her way to reaching her goal of becoming a nurse.

Mike Sullivan continued...

Mike’s management style and his interest in seeing his employees continue to improve their skills and knowledge have paid off for the department. There is relatively low turnover and he has created an environment of mutual respect and desire to perform. The administrative assistants generally stay in the job for 4-5 years and then move on to others jobs or careers as they develop more skills. One employee recently started medical school. The administrative assistants work closely with the physicians in a fast paced demanding environment. Mike provides scheduling flexibility whenever possible to accommodate employees taking classes. The staff covers for each other or adjust their schedules to start work early or stay late in order to get the work done. One of Mike’s administrative assistants and a PCWD participant, Norma Abdullah, has grown in her job and responsibilities. In addition to being a skilled patient care provider and receptionist; she has expanded her role to include editing papers and producing posters for the physicians in the department. Mike meets informally on a regular basis with Norma and the others on his staff to talk about career development and how he can continue to be supportive.