Books for pediatric patients; clothes for children and teens in mental health crisis; and a therapeutic visual artist are just some of the ideas from Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) employees that will soon become a reality. Six employee ideas were recently approved for nearly $100,000 in total funding through the NGHS Foundation’s Change Grant program.
The program, which is funded by donations through the NGHS employee giving club called WATCH (We Are Targeting Community Health), allows employees to submit their ideas for enhancing services for patients, visitors and employees. Applications are reviewed andselected by a committee of employees from different departments and levels.
“These ideas came from employees all across the organization,” said Angela Gary, chief nursing officer at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton and Barrow and WATCH Co-Chair. “Whether it’s a nurse at NGMC Habersham, or a practice manager at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group in Buford, or someone who works at any of our other locations across the region – anyone can see a chance to improve something for their patients or peers and make the pitch for funding it.”
The projects funded this year include:
- Clothes for low-income adolescent patients in psychiatric crisis, requested by Manuel Garcia – a behavioral health registered nurse at Laurelwood
- A therapeutic storyteller and visual artist to rotate through all NGMC hospital campuses, requested by Lori Hamrick – Live Therapeutic Music Program coordinator
- Books for pediatric patients ages five and under at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group(NGPG) clinics, requested by Becky Westmoreland – a practice manager at NGPG Pediatrics in Toccoa
- Pill boxes to encourage medication adherence among patients with uncontrolled hypertension, requested by Maryam Raad, DO – a second-year resident at NGPG Family Medicine in Gainesville
- A booklet for parents and guardians of newborns to remind and keep record of well visits, immunizations and important screenings, requested by Susan Stone – a clinical quality specialist for NGPG
- Emergency contact and information tags for car seats, requested by Robin Miller – assistant nurse manager in Women & Children’s Services
“The generosity of our employees who participate in WATCH is what makes it possible to fund these projects,” said Melissa Rouse, chief nursing officer at NGMC Gainesville and WATCH Co-Chair. “It’s just one more way, beyond their daily work, that they help NGHS achieve its mission to improve the health of our community in all we do.”
For a full listing of all current and previous Change Grants, visit nghs.com/change-grants. To support the philanthropic initiatives of NGHS, visit nghs.com/foundation.
About NGHS Foundation
Founded in 1986, the Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to health system improvements, complementary programs and partner organizations throughout the region. In an effort to further the mission of improving the health of the community in all that we do, donations to the Foundation help support innovation and enhancements at all five of Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s community hospitals, as well as many health initiatives of the system. It is truly through the generosity of friends and neighbors that many critical, life-saving projects, improvements and patient care services are available today. For more information, visit nghs.com/foundation.