Friday, May 30, 2014

Recognizing the Great Things that Our Employees Do



At Redstone Highlands and Senior Independence of Southwestern Pennsylvania, we have a wonderful program in which our employees can be recognized for wonderful things that they do each and every day while serving our residents, their family members, and other friends of our organization. This DOVE Recognition Program is inspired by the Redstone Highlands logo, and its acronym stands for: Distinction Of Visible Excellence.

Nominating an individual for a DOVE Recognition is very simple. On each Redstone Highlands campus, recognition cards are available for residents, their family members, or staff to fill out and notify the DOVE committee when an employee does something good that should be recognized.  These cards can be obtained at deposit boxes located in all main lobbies and near each employee time clock. The DOVE committee will collect and review these cards on a monthly basis. Following the committee’s review, the employee and his or her supervisor will receive notification of the recognition. The employee will also receive a token of appreciation for a “job well done.” Certain notable acts will be recognized publicly at the annual DOVE Banquet.

In addition to individual recognitions, each department will be recognized during a designated week of the year. Some weeks will coincide with national recognition weeks (i.e. National Nurses Week), but in order to keep all employees involved, the DOVE committee will be recognizing every department throughout the year even if no official week applies. During each department’s recognition week, the names of each employee within that department will be recognized on Touchtown TV and on monthly activities calendars that are distributed to residents.

Lastly, Redstone employees who have reached a significant milestone in the number of years that they have served will receive a special gift for their service. The names of these individuals will also be listed on materials that are distributed and displayed at the DOVE Recognition Banquet.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Nicole Bruzda


The following letter was written by a high school student that volunteered at Redstone Highlands in the activities department. She worked under Activities Supervisor Karen Stock and wrote this wonderful letter about her experience. 

Dear Karen,

Thank you so much for the opportunity at Redstone Highlands. It has been such a great experience for me that I will never forget. Through helping at Redstone I now know that nursing is what I really want to do as a career. Everyone that I have met: both residents and employees have welcomed me, and I truly feel part of the Redstone family. I have learned a lot that I will take with me into the future as I go to college and pursue nursing. It has been great working with you, and I appreciate the time you have taken out for me during my time at Redstone. Every time I see you, you have a smile on your face. I can tell that you really love your job, and I hope one day I love mine as much as you do yours. I would also like to thank you for introducing me to Anne. Although I wasn’t able to know her for too long: I loved talking to her, and seeing her smile. Going through that with Anne has better prepared me for what’s ahead. Again, thank you for the wonderful time I spent with you and the Redstone employees, and residents.

Sincerely,


Nicole Bruzda

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Employee Spotlight - Karen Stock


January 1980, a young woman named Karen Stock was hired into the Activities Department at the Greensburg Home of the Redstone Presbytery.  The Steelers had just won the Super Bowl, and Karen had recently made Pennsylvania her home.  She found her purpose and mission of life when she began working at Redstone.  Karen found it to be very comfortable, fun, challenging, and gratifying to be a part of this community.

Karen has always had a special bond with the elderly. Continuing to see their beauty, being able to provide a laugh, sharing a memory, and making new ones are her favorite aspects of her career.  Whether it means holding someone’s hand or being there when their journey is ending, Karen will stay with her residents through the good times and the bad.

Karen’s coworker for many years, Brenda Sobota, had these kind words to say about her, “She is simply a gift to Redstone.  I always think about how can Karen maintain the ability to be committed and continue to care so much after so many years.  She is unflagging in her commitment of serving the people here.  She is the continuing dedication of quality that we can offer to our staff.  She is very talented and we are blessed to have such an amazing person like Karen.”

“It has been my good fortune to have met so many residents on their life’s journey.  It is a privilege to work here, where lives intertwine to benefit all in love, peace, mutual trust, and understanding.  I have truly been blessed over these past 34 years, and I take a degree of satisfaction in the sure knowledge that my presence has made a difference in so many lives,” Karen explains.


Karen, throughout your 34 years of employment with us, you have been and continue to be an amazing gift to Redstone Highlands Communities.  Thank you for your never-ending commitment and the gifts that you bring to our residents, staff, friends, and families every day.