On Tuesday, February 3, Jamaica Hospital sparkled as all former recipients of the hospital’s Going the Extra Mile program , (or G.E.M for short) gathered for a breakfast in their honor.
Approximately 50 former G.E.M honorees were in attendance for the festivities. Also in attendance were G.E.M committee co-chairs, Anthony Maffia and Sheila Garvey, as well as President & CEO Bruce J. Flanz. Each thanked the honorees for their efforts and stated how important having employees who go above and beyond are to our institution. “The G.E.M employees are models for others. We hope more employees follow the examples they have set,” stated Mr. Maffia.
One of the past G.E.M recipients, Security Officer Robert Smith offered his perspective on the event. “As a recipient of the award, I was honored to be at the breakfast with my fellow colleagues. While we all received our awards for different circumstances, we all share the same belief that we were just doing our jobs.” Officer Smith added, “I am very proud to be part of the Jamaica Hospital family, where everyone is considered important.”
The G.E.M Program was created in July of 2013 to acknowledge and thank employees for simple acts of courtesy, team spirit, kindness and professionalism. Nominations are made by supervisory staff members who observe employees taking actions that positively impact the experience of our patients, visitors, and co-workers. Each month at the Jamaica Hospital Department Head meeting, G.E.M recipients are awarded a certificate, pin and a gift certificate.
Since its inception, over 80 G.E.M employees have been identified. Jamaica Hospital thanks them all for their dedication.