Patients visiting a Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) location will soon see some new enhancements thanks to funding for projects proposed by employees. Six NGHS employees were awarded more than $55,000 by the NGHS Foundation as part of the Change Grants program to implement their ideas to improve experiences for patients, visitors and fellow employees.
The six projects were selected from applications submitted last fall through a review process by colleagues and system leaders. They include:
· A dedicated bariatric surgery classroom to provide education for patients before and after surgery – submitted by Matthew Bramlett, a nurse manager at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville.
· A cart filled with supplies for pelvic exams and early pregnancy emergencies to provide more efficient care in the NGMC Gainesville Emergency Department – submitted by Wilson Pierce, a nurse manager in the NGMC Gainesville Emergency Department.
· Specialized equipment for EMS workers to safely transport patients down stairs without lifting, improving safety and reducing the chance of workplace injuries – submitted by Erick Giraldo, director of Emergency Medical Services.
· Sensory kits for adult patients with autism including noise-canceling headphones, fidget items, visual schedules and communication boards to improve their hospital experience – submitted by Kimberly Moore, a nursing administration supervisor.
· Cremation services for grieving families following perinatal or infant loss – submitted by Megan Cargile, a director of Women and Children’s at NGMC Braselton.
· A support group for patients diagnosed with psychogenic, non-epileptic seizures to better manage their condition – submitted by Marianne Milarczyk, a coordinator on the epilepsy monitoring unit at NGMC Gainesville.
Launched in 2019, the Change Grants program has funded more than 60 employee-led projects ranging from facility enhancements to equipment for healthy cooking demonstrations for the community. The program is funded exclusively by donations from employees through the employee giving club of NGHS.
“Our goal at the Foundation is to connect people with the health system in a meaningful way,” said Chris Bray, president of the NGHS Foundation and chief philanthropy officer for the health system. “These employees can bring their ideas to life and make our health system even better, thanks to other employees believing in the value and importance of giving back to their own employer through philanthropic donations.”