I belong at UCH because...

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i belong...Brown, Stephanie ...............................................................................................................................6

Callaway, Laura ...................................................................................................................................3

Cooper, Kari .........................................................................................................................................9

Denton, Christina ................................................................................................................................5

Faliano, Amy ........................................................................................................................................5

Faliano, Cara ........................................................................................................................................4

Hellums, Hilary ....................................................................................................................................7

Hughes, Cindy .....................................................................................................................................3

Mercer, Susie ......................................................................................................................................7

Rice, Lisa ..............................................................................................................................................9

Schmidt, Susan ...................................................................................................................................8

Seifert, Debra ......................................................................................................................................8

Shearston, Lori ....................................................................................................................................3

St. Amand, Jane ..................................................................................................................................5

Wankel, Ben.........................................................................................................................................8

Wilson, Quinn ......................................................................................................................................4

Wolff, Michaelene ..............................................................................................................................6

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“I knew the second I walked into UCH that there was something about this place I needed. Turns out it wasn’t something about UCH at all. It was just the patients around me and the people caring for them.”

“This is why I belong...UCH has become a part of my life and, I’m a caring individual who now works with those caring for our patients and their families.”

Laura CallawayPatient Resident Liaison

I belong at UCH because eight years ago I made a promise to always give back to the hospital that took a chance on an out of state employee wanting to move to Colorado. I love my job and I am proud to say I belong at UCH.

Lori ShearstonAmbulatory Services Trainer

I’ve been at University Hospital for 10 years now and I know this is where I belong when a patient that I’ve only known by voice over the telephone asks me if they’ll get to meet me when they come for their appointment. I tell them generally I don’t get to greet the patients when they I arrive, but since they’ve asked, (I work in the Leprino Building), I will make every effort to go over to the hospital to say “Hello” when they arrive. This makes me realize that I’ve made an impression on them and want to continue this throughout their care here at UCH.

Cindy HughesAdministrative Assistant

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While visiting CO back in January of 2010, my then boyfriend was driving me around the city, I noticed the hospital was very close to his home. Once he proposed a year later & I knew I’d be relocating here. I applied for a few jobs, was offered four different jobs & hired the same week. I know I belong here because when I walked through the doors it felt right, I can’t imagine myself at another hospital & I love my job.

Quanyatta “Quinn” WilsonCall Center Service Associate, AS Call Center

I belong at UCH because I’ve wanted to be a scientist since I was a little girl and UCH along with its staff are enabling me to live my dream!

In my undergrad at CU, I volunteered in the Clinical Laboratory here at UCH to get a feel for whether it was the right fit for me. The medical laboratory scientists and staff there were so eager to teach and share their passion for Medical Laboratory Science with me, causing me to immediately fall in love with the field. To help me along the way, UCH offered me a job as a Clinical Laboratory Assistant in the Blood Bank after I graduated with my degree. In my year at the Blood Bank, I’ve learned that this is truly a hospital for science - UCH sees and treats people with the most rare and interesting cases, and working here forces one to critically think everyday. I’ve learned so much here already from the pathologists that surround the lab, the medical laboratory scientists in my department, the nurses I talk to every day, the orderlies that pick up

the blood for the OR and many other hospital staff somehow involved in patient care.

Not only have a learned a ton from UCH, but this hospital is helping me to learn more by paying for me to now get my MLS certification from the prestigious Colorado Center for Medical Laboratory Science through the hospital’s tuition support program. I start in a few weeks, and everyone has been so helpful and supportive - giving me old notes, or letting me practice phlebotomy on them because I’m nervous!

Thanks to UCH, I soon get to make my childhood dream come true of coming to work, putting on a lab coat, and doing science that saves lives.

Cara FalianoClinical Laboratory AssistantTransfusion Services

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I belong at UCH because of their commitment to Medical Laboratory Science. I realized my dream of working as a medical laboratory scientist through volunteering in the clinical lab during my undergrad, then got a dream job as a clinical laboratory assistant in the blood-bank after I graduated, and now UCH is supporting me in getting my MLS certification through their wonderful “Tuition Forgiveness” program. I have grown and learned tons here, and plan to stay!

Amy FalianoClinical Laboratory Assistant, Tranfusion Services

After 18 years of nursing, including 11 years as an ICU nurse, I felt it was time to leave the bedside full time and move toward the role of Clinical Nurse Educator. I had been working in another health system, which does not offer many opportunities for advancement for nurses. When I completed my MSN, with little encouragement from my former organization, I found the opening for my current position at UCH, and I love it here! I belong at UCH because: my Director saw my potential and had faith in me that my previous employer did not have; because: we are on the cutting edge of patient care in the CVC and throughout UCH, and I am proud to express to family and friends that the “next new thing” they heard about on TV is done right here where I work! And mostly because UCH truly values nurses as professionals, fosters us to be involved in research and evidence-based practice, and encourages higher education. That’s why I belong here.

Christina Denton, RN, MSNClinical Nurse EducatorCardiac and Vascular Center

I feel I belong to UCH because I know this is my second home and my family. UCH played a very important role in my life and my entire family’s life. When my husband (Tom – who also works here at UCH) and I decided to start a family, UCH Advanced Reproductive Medicine, Women’s Labor and Delivery and NICU helped saved and bring our only daughter (Megan) into this world. So we don’t only work here, we are also once a patient. Everywhere we go, everyone recognizes us and we feel like we don’t only work here but UCH is a part of our family too. Both our departments, Cancer Center and Engineering Services help and supported us all through out our journey with Megan. I am proud to be a part of this institution. I am forever grateful to UCH and I am proud to say that yes, I belong to UCH.

Jane St. AmandReferral Specialist Cancer Center

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I have never worked at an institution where there was so much opportunity for growth! I started at UCH in 2001 in the Utilization Management Department in a newly-created position. Along with my manager, we made my position one that not only suited me, but benefited the department and hospital as well. Within the year, I found myself applying for one of the highly coveted spots for the BSN worksite option program....and was chosen as one of the 36 in that inaugural class. I had always wanted to be a nurse and for one reason or another, could never find “the time” to go back to school. I spent the next three years working full time and going to school full time, a much difficult time in maintaining balance. It was all worth it! I graduated magna cum laude and was afforded the opportunity to work with a specialty of nursing that I was passionate. I soon credentialed to Level III - more roads to explore! Thinking that things couldn’t possibly get any better, I was chosen as a permanent charge nurse and took several levels of classes in Healing Touch (a biofield energy therapy modality...now I am a Level IV Practitioner Apprentice). I am currently working not only on Healing Touch certification, but planning to credential to Level IV RN next year. Had it not been for such superlative managers who have had faith in my abilities, I may not be where I am today. I am extremely thankful to my managers and the institution for continuing to allow me the opportunities to grow. There are so many more avenues to explore, and I have never felt so respected or had my opinion valued as much as at UCH! I will never be able to repay all the opportunities afforded me and will always be indebted for everything I’ve been given.

Michaelene Wolff, RN, BSN, OCN, HTP/APermanent Charge NurseOncology/Bone Marrow Transplant Program

I love that when I walk down the halls I always see someone I know. It is also great that even the senior leadership stop to say hi to you. It makes me feel like I belong here!

Stephanie Brown BSN RN-BCPractice ManagerInterventional Pain Management

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Well, I have worked here at UCH for 10 years. That’s the longest I have ever worked at a hospital. I plan on being here until I retire.

I have been in healthcare since age 20: I was a surgical tech for 18 years, trained as a veterinary tech but came back to human medicine when that didn’t pay well. I trained as a Medical Assistant and got a job here in the Infectious disease clinic right out of MA school. I now work in Internal Medicine-Anschutz.

When I went through the UCH orientation, I knew I was working for a company that did things really differently. I came out of that knowing so much about the inner workings of the hospital; from the administration on down to housekeeping. We actually met the CEO and others from high up. It was obvious that UCH really cared about training the new folks and getting

them set up correctly. Other orientations I had been through at other hospitals were 1-2 days then you were thrown to the wolves. And you were lucky if the CEO or someone representing them showed up.

I love the little things UCH does for us: free turkeys at Thanksgiving, ice cream socials to celebrate things, Halloween fun, the Milestone reward program, holiday meals with entertainment, etc. The employee opinion survey is another reason: our opinions really do matter and I have seen changes made based on those results. Our benefits are great, coverage is awesome. I also love that when there are “state of the hospital” meetings for all staff that the night shift is not ignored. As with the holiday meals, time is made for those who work nights. That is really important as I used to work nights at another hospital and we were mostly ignored. If there was a meeting like that, we had to stay after our shift was over (meetings began at 9AM, we got off shift at 7AM), then we went home to try and get enough sleep for the following night. We never got holiday meals or anything like that. UCH just flat out treats its staff better than any other hospital I have worked for.

I’m proud to work here. I love my co-workers. I love my job. That’s why I belong here at UCH.

Hilary Hellums CMAInternal Medicine Clinic Anschutz

My employment is about a life of service - helping others and trying to find a solution for some unanswered healthcare questions that we all seek. This institution and my personal, professional goals are parallel. UCH is the best Healthcare Institution in the nation. We have the best doctors and the best co-workers. I am honored and proud to be a part of it.

There is no greater feeling when your life’s passion and your place of employment come together so seamlessly. I wake up with gratitude in my heart every day. I am truly blessed to be a part of this organization - working TOGETHER for a greater tomorrow.

Susie MercerResearch Administration

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I love walking the campus from end to end. The diversity of people and all of the work that we do is immense. Each day I watch our new buildings grow to completion and it excites me. Not because we are doing well financially, but because the foundation of each of those buildings is built from the vision and careful planning of our leadership team and the hard work, care and service each of our employees provide daily. That is a unique and special community of people and I count myself as lucky to work alongside them. I am anxious to see the changes that the future will bring, and I am committed to playing a part in it.

Ben WankelAmbulatory Services HR Business Partner

Ever since I was a child I’ve had an interest in medicine and hospitals. Working at UCH gives me a chance to use my skills in a dynamic setting of education and healing.

Debra Seifert, MSWInpatient Coder

I belong to UCH because it’s a place where there is HOPE, and a place where miracles can happen. Nothing compares to the feeling I get, when I see the look of HOPE on a patient’s face after they have seen one of our specialists, or when a patient shows up 3 hours early for their appt, because they don’t want to miss it.

Susan SchmidtCare Team Assistant Ambulatory Services Float Pool

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I guess you could say UCH is in my blood, I was born here! Well that was back when we were known as Colorado General. My sister and brothers as well as my son were all born here too!

UCH is also a “Family Tradition”! My mother was an RN (Inpatient Ob/Gyn) here for 30 years, my sister a “Care Team Member/Supervisor” (Ortho and Rheum/Allergy Clinics) for 25 years and my cousin an L&D RN now Epic Nurse Trainer for over 20 years. I am a caregiver/nurturer type person (like the rest of my family) but not so much a “Clinical” person, more “Clerical” so it only makes sense that I work for UCH in that capacity with HIM.

I love everything about Medical Records from all of the paper to the new EPIC EMR! Twenty years ago, I worked in the file room running the “Tube Station”, sorting the loose filing and then filing it as well as the paper charts, I was here when records moved to the East Pavilion. I left for ten years and came right back home to HIM! I’m one of the people to call when someone needs information, charts ordered for research and audit projects or records needed for patient care. When I take care of these things, I feel like I am caring directly for our patients (it’s that caregiver/nurturer personality) and that is why I Belong here at UCH.

Kari L. CooperROI AssistantHealth Information Management

Why is it such a great place to work?

Well, first of all- I feel like we are all family here. We’re all working here for one reason, we love health and patient care. And because of that, we have a common bond that seeps out even when we’re running errands through the halls, ordering an amazing meal or waiting on an elevator. It’s just a way of life around here!

Second, I know that each department cares so much about its employees. I worked in the GI clinic for a year, but have always wanted to work in the ED. I expressed this to my manager, and she supported my decision to transfer without hesitancy! What other employer would ever even think of doing something like that!

Plus, how awesome being a part of an actual health care “city”, that constantly evolves and grows and grows. It’s an amazing place to work, and I never want to leave!

Lisa RiceCare Team AssistantGI/Endoscopy