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Ready to greet employees with fresh fruit and breakfast bars are, from left, University and Community Hospital CEO Dodie McElmurray, Adult Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Jason Zimmerman, Director of Employee Relations Cecelia Bass, Deputy General Counsel Stephanie Jones and Talent Acquisition Coordinator Jessica Quiroz as part of Employee Appreciation Week
Ready to greet employees with fresh fruit and breakfast bars are, from left, University and Community Hospital CEO Dodie McElmurray, Adult Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Jason Zimmerman, Director of Employee Relations Cecelia Bass, Deputy General Counsel Stephanie Jones and Talent Acquisition Coordinator Jessica Quiroz as part of Employee Appreciation Week

Employee Appreciation Week offers menu of goodies

Published on Monday, May 20, 2024

By: Danny Barrett Jr., dlbarrett@umc.edu

A daily festival of tasty treats and tokens of thanks kicks off this week as Employee Appreciation Week begins for the Medical Center.

Employees across UMMC’s main campus can enjoy selfie booths, ice cream, popcorn and, on Friday, food trucks as recognition is spread for a job well done this year.

“We are fortunate to have valued employees like yourself supporting our patients, students, visitors, and the mission,” said Frank Lenior, chief human resources officer. “We know everything that happens at UMMC is possible because of our employees and their focused involvement in the mission.”

Lenior said Human Resources has put together a menu of events that thanks everyone for their service and dedication.

“While every day we appreciate the contributions of the employees who help support and grow the culture of UMMC, during Employee Appreciation Week, I want to offer a personal ‘thank you’ and acknowledge your exceptional work and commitment to this institution,” he said.

A chance to visit with coworkers and enjoy a bit of downtime between tasks is the best part of the week’s festivities.

“We are so excited about the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the commitment and dedication of our employees,” said Dr. Kristina Cherry, chief nursing executive and associate dean of clinical affairs in the School of Nursing. “Please take the time this week to enjoy the fun-filled events as an opportunity to fellowship, connect, laugh, relax, enjoy treats and have delicious food.” 

Calendar of events for employee appreciation week.
A full calendar of events for Employee Appreciation Week can be found on the intranet and calendar.

Themed events and offerings include:

  • “Rise & Shine It’s Appreciation Time” began today with breakfast treats at the main entrances to the Adult Hospital, Wiser and Children’s. A selfie booth and popcorn will set up from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in three locations – the School of Medicine lobby near the coffee shop, the main hospital near the Business Office and on mobile party carts moving throughout the main hospital.
  • “Without You, this Place Would be a Circus” begins Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. with a selfie booth and popcorn treats in the main hospital near the Business Office, at Children’s in the community event and conference room, the School of Medicine lobby and on mobile party carts moving through Children’s. From 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., ice cream is available in the main cafeteria and a selfie booth will set up in the main hospital near the Business Office.
  • “You Make Us Pop” begins Wednesday at 7 a.m. with a loaded tea tent at the School of Nursing/Classroom Wing. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., popcorn will be available in the Wiser hospital atrium, in the corridor near Chick-Fil-A and in the School of Health Related Professions. From 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., popcorn will return to the corridor near Chick-Fil-A and appear on mobile party carts moving through the main hospital.
  • “You’re the Coolest” begins Thursday at 11:30 a.m. with ice cream in the School of Medicine courtyard area and on mobile party carts moving through the schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing. Popcorn will be available at 1 p.m. in the Pavilion and Clinical Science building and at 2:30 p.m. in the overflow dining area in the Adult Hospital. Mobile party carts will begin moving at 7:30 p.m. at Children’s and at Wiser.
  • “You’re a Life Saver” being Friday at 11 a.m. with food trucks on the East Campus (Student Union) featuring Eddie Wright’s BBQ, Mo Better Dessert Bar and Taqueria La Reata. Food trucks on the West Campus (Wiser Entrance) will feature Smokey’s, Mr. Turkey Leg, Italian Ice and Roaddogs601. At 2:30 p.m., popcorn will be made available at the schools of Dentistry and Nursing.
UMMC Grenada employees, front row from left, Melanie Baldwin, Allen Green, Vera Winters, Jamie Cuykendall, Mandy Suber, Garrick Cunningham, Celine Craig, Angie Crum; back row from left,Don Cuykendall, Jeremy Mason, Scott Whittemore, Megan Blount, Cliff Benford, Toni Noah, John Farrish and Chris Chandler
UMMC Grenada employees, front row from left, Melanie Baldwin, Allen Green, Vera Winters, Jamie Cuykendall, Mandy Suber, Garrick Cunningham, Celine Craig, Angie Crum; back row from left,Don Cuykendall, Jeremy Mason, Scott Whittemore, Megan Blount, Cliff Benford, Toni Noah, John Farrish and Chris Chandler

Random drawings will take place daily throughout the week.

To recognize and celebrate Medical Center employees who don’t work on the main campus, each will receive a UMMC-branded tall stainless steel beverage mug as part of the weeklong celebration.

UMMC Grenada celebrated Healthcare Week last week with games, an ice cream sundae bar, snow cones and picnic fare as a way to recognize employees’ efforts.

“Healthcare Week is an opportunity for us to recognize all of the hard work and dedication of our employees, and show appreciation for the difference they make in the lives of our patients and community,” said Scott Whittemore, operations and finance administrator for community hospitals. “The months of planning and fundraising for the Employee Engagement Fund was well worth it to see the smiles on our employee’s faces.”