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La Grange resident Laura Kelley has a gift at communicating with her inpatient physical therapy patients.
That gift was recognized at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, where the physical, speech and occupational therapy manager was honored asemployee of the year.
Kelley, a member of the Adventist La Grange Memorial team since 1997, was one of four employees recognized Feb. 13 by the Adventist Midwest Group at the 2007 Employee of the Year ceremony at a luncheon at Maggiano's restaurant in Oak Brook.
Karen Gonzales, director of medical surgical services and Kelley’s supervisor, said Kelley is an excellent patient advocate who works closely with families and physicians.
“Her collaboration skills with nursing and other health care teams is outstanding,” Gonzales said. “She has a very easy communication style about her to make the whole health care process smooth.”
She also has a positive and upbeat personality, Gonzales said, and consistently has one of the highest scores for employee engagement and satisfaction.
“She truly leads by example and is a excellent mentor and resource person,” Gonzales said. “It’s been a pleasure for me to be her boss, and I mean that with all my heart, and most deserving of the award.”
Kelley’s health care career began at the age of 16 as a nurse’s aid in a nursing home. Over the years, she has learned the more she knows about the patient, the better.
“I just enjoy sitting down and learning about them before I even enter the room,” Kelley said. “I usually know the names of their pets and everything I can about the patient before I go in because it puts them at ease. I’ll find out what their daughter’s name is, where they live, so when I walk in I’m not a stranger. I try to think of someone in my family in that situation, and how I would want them to be treated.”
La Grange resident Laura Kelley has a gift at communicating with her inpatient physical therapy patients.
That gift was recognized at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, where the physical, speech and occupational therapy manager was honored asemployee of the year.
Kelley, a member of the Adventist La Grange Memorial team since 1997, was one of four employees recognized Feb. 13 by the Adventist Midwest Group at the 2007 Employee of the Year ceremony at a luncheon at Maggiano's restaurant in Oak Brook.
Karen Gonzales, director of medical surgical services and Kelley’s supervisor, said Kelley is an excellent patient advocate who works closely with families and physicians.
“Her collaboration skills with nursing and other health care teams is outstanding,” Gonzales said. “She has a very easy communication style about her to make the whole health care process smooth.”
She also has a positive and upbeat personality, Gonzales said, and consistently has one of the highest scores for employee engagement and satisfaction.
“She truly leads by example and is a excellent mentor and resource person,” Gonzales said. “It’s been a pleasure for me to be her boss, and I mean that with all my heart, and most deserving of the award.”
Kelley’s health care career began at the age of 16 as a nurse’s aid in a nursing home. Over the years, she has learned the more she knows about the patient, the better.
“I just enjoy sitting down and learning about them before I even enter the room,” Kelley said. “I usually know the names of their pets and everything I can about the patient before I go in because it puts them at ease. I’ll find out what their daughter’s name is, where they live, so when I walk in I’m not a stranger. I try to think of someone in my family in that situation, and how I would want them to be treated.”
