Let’s Do Our Part

Good morning.

To begin today, I want to remind you to mark your calendars for the next UMMC 101 session, “Emergency Response,” from Dr. Jonathan Wilson, chief administrative officer, on Monday, April 24, at noon in R153. UMMC staff and health care professionals are often at the center of emergency operations in the state, and this will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this critical work.

Now, on to today’s topic.

If you routinely read my weekly column, you’ll know that I’m an advocate for keeping environments and facilities tidy and looking professional. Several times over the years that I’ve been doing VC Notes – the most recent just a couple of months ago – I’ve encouraged all of us to play a part in keeping Medical Center grounds and buildings clean and a reflection of the quality of work done within each of our mission areas. “World-class medical center” may not be what our patients, prospective students and visitors think if there is trash on the ground or floor and if areas are messy.

So, today, I simply want to again express to you a sentiment that I used as the title of an April 2021 VC Notes: "Spring Cleaning Mentality, Always." 

Our grounds crew and our housekeepers have their jobs to do, and each of us should consider ourselves extensions. We can all take a brief moment to pick up that candy wrapper next to the sidewalk or the napkin someone dropped in a hallway. And if you see something that is beyond your ability to clean, I encourage you to use one of three options to request cleaning services: email hospitalhousekeeping@umc.edu or call 4-2685 for patient care areas, or email facilitiesservices-environmentalservices@umc.edu or submit a “Maintenance Request” using the link on the Intranet front page for non-health care settings and for all outside grounds needs.

As the old adage goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If we all pitch in, we can contribute to keeping things neat and tidy.

An example of thoughtfully keeping areas professional is having no flyers and papers taped to walls, doors, public-facing desks and other areas. I know there are times that you want to get information in front of people easily and quickly, but often it looks unprofessional and gets even worse after just a few days. We should not tape signage but instead get items created professionally through UMMC Printing using approved branding and displaying appropriately. Recent efforts to remove taped items from the Pavilion have improved the look of the facility. I’d like to see the same thing happen in other public areas. And any signage in public areas should be for pertinent work-related information only, not for personal messages.

Not only do we want to always present ourselves in a way that gives a good impression, but the use of tape on the walls is also against infection control guidelines. It can collect and harbor germs, and the remnants left behind after pulling off the tape can be messy and unsightly.

Our halls and walkways are public spaces and at any given time a patient, visitor, student or employee who is dealing with a health challenge or experiencing a day that could be the worst one of their life could be passing through. Clean, sanitary environments are vital to curbing infection spread. Remember, we take care of the sickest of the sick and I ask that you be mindful of that.

While everyone should participate in keeping our areas clean and professional looking, I especially expect managers and supervisors to take the lead on the items I’ve presented today. Be thoughtful. Be deliberate. It’s an image we are projecting to all who visit us, and we want that image to always be professional. 

I’ll leave you today using the same words I used two years ago, as they still apply: