Professionalism = Interest

Good morning.

Below is a comment sent to me through the VC Notes inbox that I didn’t include in last week’s 5 Questions column because I thought it deserved its own stage and additional comments from me.

The lack of professionalism is astounding on campus. I hear foul language from employees walking in the hallways. I see people that look like they grabbed their clothes out of the dirty clothes basket or off the floor. People walking while looking at their phones. Very few people exercise elevator etiquette. I am embarrassed by the way we collectively present ourselves to the public. I see no reason why employees should be allowed to wear T-shirts, sweatpants, blue jeans, sweatshirts with logos not from UMMC, hair color that cannot be a natural color, etc. Why not have disciplines wear certain colors? I'm sure the patients would appreciate knowing who was who. Our patients deserve to have professionals taking care of them. The pandemic is over. Let's get back to some sort of order.
We should take pride in the way we look. If employees aren't capable of making that decision, maybe we could make it for them.

I want to say thanks to the person who sent this comment/question to me. I believe the confluence of issues described represents a particularly bad day, but I personally don’t believe most days are this dire. However, I also see and hear some of the things mentioned and think the general topic is one that needs to be given more consideration.

We all play a part in advancing our very special mission and responsibilities. Likewise, we all play a part in the success of the Medical Center. The great news is there are many tangible indicators of our recent successes in all our mission areas. In addition, I receive ad hoc feedback from patients and their family members expressing gratitude for the superb care and high level of professionalism they have experienced. To ensure our continued success, everything must operate at a high level.

And, like all of health care, a significant amount of our work boils down to “customer service.” We should all strive for our customers – including patients, families, visitors, students, community members, elected officials, and each other – to feel like we are fully invested in them and providing the services they deserve. This can include how we dress or our personal appearance, how we pay attention and stay engaged when we are working or walking in public spaces, how we speak to people or how “customers” may hear us speak to each other. While at work, in all moments, we should hold ourselves (and each other) accountable to the highest professional standards.

We have a Personal Appearance Policy for faculty and staff (including students who are working in clinical, research or other units) and each of our schools has its own dress code for students. I encourage you to look over the policy that applies to you. Managers, I expect you to hold those you supervise to the policy. Wearing jeans is specifically addressed in the policy, and here’s a spoiler – they aren’t allowed. All of us at UMMC – students, faculty and staff – are grown-ups and have grown-up responsibilities and jobs. We all need to act like it. I am so thrilled that this fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) we have funds designated for both merit and market compensation increases. (More to come soon on when those will be allotted.) While we can’t implement it this fiscal year, it is my goal that in the future, individuals who do not adhere to applicable dress codes will not be eligible for a merit-based increase.

As for “acting professional” while at work or in a learning environment, I don’t think we should need a policy for that. Hopefully, each of you knows what being professional at work looks and sounds like. Here are a few points to consider when in public or working spaces: Hold off on sending that text while you’re walking in the hall, stepping to the side instead; if you need to conduct a cell phone call, do it in a way that doesn’t disrupt others – like I sometimes see when people are using earbuds; choose your words carefully because you never know who can hear you; if you see some simple trash on the floor or ground, pick it up. (I know that last one is a little off-topic, but it’s always worth mentioning that we should all try to maintain clean, professional-looking spaces, too.) Be courteous to each other and to all visitors. Actions such as screaming, yelling, cursing or acting foolish are not professional at all and won’t be tolerated.

For future growth and success, we must all be invested in our own individual work AND in our collective efforts. Professionalism matters. Each time we make our customers feel valued, we’ve moved that much closer to A Healthier Mississippi.