Page 4 - April 2020 Ulupono

COVID-19 Rx: A Weekly Dose of Appreciation
Like so many great ideas, coming up with meaningful ways to show appreciation and support to our Adventist Health Castle associates during these challenging times took the collaboration of many. Specifically, Kylee Chan, Administration, Richard Kirchner, Director of Facilities, Tracie Ann Tjapkes, Director of Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine, Jessie Seibel, Director of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care, and Senior Chaplain Sara May Colon. Together, the group came up with these exciting ideas:
• Surprise Castle associates each week with a special treat, for as long as necessary.
• Designate “well-being” spaces around the hospital campus where associates can step away from their busy work day to enjoy their lunch or for a short break (while being mindful of current physical distancing protocols.)
“We wanted to recognize and show appreciation to our fellow associates for really stepping up during these stressful times,” Tracie Ann explained. “We want
to keep each week’s treat ‘spicy’ and interesting—the element of surprise is a key to the science of gifting!”
The team knew that providing weekly treats for associates would take the help
of the community partners. Through her contacts with the MyKailua social media site, Sara May reached out to Windward businesses for donations, and Tracie Ann is securing other upcoming surprises from her community connections.
March 25, the first week of the Associate Appreciation program began when Tracie Ann, Sara May, Chaplain Emory Gaskins
and massage therapist Vi Coito surprised associates throughout the main campus with boxes of apples, clementines, “bananagrams”, tea and encouraging words. Similar deliveries were also made to each of Castle’s primary care clinics in Kailua, Ka¯ne‘ohe and La¯‘ie.
“Associates were surprised and touched that they were recognized and appreciated for what many felt was just part of their job,” Tracie Ann said.
4 | ULUPONO - MARCH 2020
Encouraging Resiliency: Associate Wellbeing Spaces
“We also wanted to encourage resiliency by reminding people to take care of themselves as well as their patients,” Tracie Ann said. “We decided to revisit the idea of Associate Wellbeing Spaces, which has been floating around for some time.”
With a thumbs-up from Castle’s administration and the COVID-19 Incident Command team, four spaces have been designated on the medical center’s campus for associates to relax and rejuvenate during their breaks. These spaces are available 24/7 for associates to use.
Within the hospital, the chapel and the volunteer lounge (requires badge access), off the main lobby entrance, provide quiet sanctuaries and seating to allow for social distancing. Outdoors, associates can enjoy the garden setting of the Dr. Hiroji Noguchi Pavilion or a newly installed patio table
and chairs beneath a large red umbrella—a “hidden gem”—outside the gift shop.
“We encourage associates to use these well- being spaces for their short breaks, a lunch spot, or a place to begin or end their day,” says Tracie Ann. “We just ask that ask that they respect any posted guidelines, time limits and wipe down the space after use. We even provide wipes and gloves!”
Adventist Health Castle sends a heartfelt mahalo to our community partners for their support of our associates as they respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Associate Appreciation committee members from left Emory Gaskins, Sarah May Colon, Jesse Seibel and Vi Coito took time to destress while preparing the week’s treats for associates.