By Martin Kinnunen
UPMC employees celebrated Hospital Week last week with a variety of events, including free giveaways of cookies and Rita's water ice, a Spa Day with pampering including manicures and massages and the Your Care Our Commitment Forum, an opportunity for workers to meet senior leaders and learn what various departments do.
But one event was so popular that it's extending beyond the week. Employees at UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Montefiore were given the opportunity to send candy grams to colleagues as part of Thursday's Random Act of Kindness Day. The response was so overwhelmng that all completed candy grams will be delivered by the end of the day today.
“In
all, we had about 2,700 candy grams completed,” said Geeta Mantha, program
manager, Molecular Anatomic Pathology, who helped to organize Random Act of
Kindness Day. “We count on each other to serve our patients. These little notes
of thanks and appreciation and small treats brought a lot of smiles.”
Nearly
all areas of the hospital and all shifts participated. “Staff didn’t want to
miss anyone. We are delivering candy grams to the parking attendants to thank
them for the outstanding work they do,” Mantha said. “It was very
touching.”
Random
Act of Kindness Day was held earlier in the week at UPMC Shadyside, where 1,200
candy grams were delivered.
“It was really well received. Everybody kept saying
what a great idea,” said Susan Kelly, manager in the Department of Pathology
and event organizer. “Associates enjoyed being recognized for something
positive. It meant so much.”
