Giving and Growing

Giving and Growing

By Emily Andras | Photo by Daymon Gardner

“It is simply an act of love” – Why Ochsner employees are giving back to their workplace

For many, giving any amount of their hard-earned money back to their employers

would seem like an absurd idea—but for Ochsner employees, paying it forward is part of what it means to work at the largest non-profit healthcare system in Louisiana. The annual Physician and Employee Giving program, which began its 2019 drive in August, offers Ochsner employees a unique chance to influence change by supporting growth and improvement in areas they are passionate about. Employees and physicians throughout Ochsner Health System donated more than $2 million in 2018 to support everything from patient programs to employee assistance. All of the money raised stays within the Ochsner system, which some employees cited as their primary reason for giving. Donations don’t just come from the top: part-time technicians to the chief nursing officer give back to Ochsner. Patrice Stanford, a Patient Access Representative in Gynecologic Oncology at Ochsner Baptist, gives every year to honor how Ochsner has helped her. Patrice, who has worked at Ochsner since 2006, was forced to take an extended leave of absence due to illness in 2012. During the nearly 18 months she was recuperating, the

Employee and Physician Giving program provided her with a financial lifeline — one that she now donates to so that others can receive the same aid. Dr. Vu Vuong, a Senior Physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology, has worked on Ochsner’s West Bank campus since 1997 and said his reasons for giving back to Ochsner are simple. “The people working here at our West Bank campus were, are and will always be ‘my people,’” said Dr. Vuong. “We work closely together to take care of our friends and neighbors — i.e. folks known in other parts of town as ‘patients.’” To Dr. Vuong, giving back to Ochsner is as natural as breathing. “It is simply an act of love—of taking care of one’s own family.” This is not an uncommon feeling among Ochsner staff members who choose to give. Tamika Warmington Barfield, the Manager of Annual Giving for the Ochsner Health System, has seen the impact that Employee Giving has on Ochsner — and on members of the community. “Every day, Ochsner team members perform countless thoughtful acts that help the people around them,” said Tamika. Many Ochsner facilities highlight these acts of giving through a Physician and Employee Giving wall, which patients and families often stop to admire on their way in or out of the hospital. “Our donors are more enthusiastic about giving when they see that employees care about where they work.” Four Ochsner employees — from all levels and departments — told us about why they choose to give to the Physician and Employee Giving program.

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Dr. Vincent “Butch” Adolph, RMD

Regional Medical Director, Lake Charles and ShreveportDr. Adolph also gives to the surgical scholarship fund to help medical students, the same way he was helped in a time of need.

“

I’ve donated to some major construction capital projects like the Ambulatory Center across the street and the expansion of our PICU to create a cardiovascular ICU. I also give to the Pediatric Patient Assistance Fund — these patients aregoing through medical and emotional challenges while they’re also missing workor are far from home. I want to donate to them to help minimize the financialchallenges that they might be facing.”

Deborah Ford

Chief Nursing Officer, Hospital AdministrationDeborah has worked in nursing for more than 40 years and is most excited to see her contributions go toward finding cures and new ways to offer relief to patients

“

As a chief nursing executive, when I’m rounding on the unit, I see how sick our community is and how they depend on us to make them better. Because we take this money and put it back into our people and programs and our research,it helps us have things like Innovation Ochsner and continuing education for ournurses so they can take care of the sickest of the sick. That’s what motivates meto go ahead and click that button.”

Dr. Dennis Kay, Sr.

Chairman, Department of RadiologyDr. Kay was Ochsner’s first fellowship-trained interventional radiologist; he helped develop the interventional radiology team, new therapies and techniques during his time at Ochsner

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I managed to narrow it down to three reasons why I give. The first is that I’m thankful for the education I received here — I’m very thankful for the opportunity I received when I did my residency and training here. The second isthat I’m thankful for all the professional opportunities I had here. I got to helpthe department grow from angiography into the interventional radiology era.The third is that I fully believe in our mission to serve, heal, lead, educate andinnovate. From development funds to the cancer gala and patient care, I havethe chance to give on so many levels.”

Nell Naquin

Medical Technologist, HematologyPictured with her bell, which she received from a student during her days as a teacher; she rings the bell around her department to gather donations

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I believe in engagement: the more engaged I am, the happier I am. Giving helps me feel as though I have a part and a place. My piece of the philanthropy pie isn’t much, but when you put together my small piece and everyone else’ssmall piece, it can do bigger and better things.”

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