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Director's Message July 7, 2006
To: All DHS employees From: Bruce Goldberg, DHS Director "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
We provide services to a large number of people. During a single year just over 1 million individuals (about 27 percent of Oregonians) receive a direct service from DHS. And, in other ways -- such as when we assure the water we drink is safe, or prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases -- we serve everyone in the state. That's a lot of people to care about, but every day I see our employees step forward and make the extra effort needed to provide excellent service.
Recently I had the pleasure of helping to select the recipients of the Director's Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2006. The following excerpts from the award winners' nominations speak eloquently to what it means to provide excellent service.
When you read these words of praise you encounter some recurring themes: dedication, selflessness, care and compassion for others, a creative and collaborative approach, promoting seamless partnerships, and commitment to high-quality work. These themes exemplify the best of public service, and set an example for all of us to follow.
Margret Armantrout -- senior systems analyst, Administrative Services, Office of Information Services, for her continued dedication to the annual Governor's Food Drive:
Margret Armantrout's dedication to the Governor's Food Drive is truly selfless. For the last 15 years she has operated "Margret's Sweet Shoppe," in which she sold her hand-made confections to DHS staff. In addition to volunteering her time, Margret pays for the raw materials and does all the cooking herself. All of the proceeds go to the food drive. This year alone she raised $2,700.
Kelly Franklin -- Children, Adults and Familes, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Medford Branch manager, for her success in developing Work-At-Home employment partnerships; and Phally Nim, operations manager at the Southeast Portland Self-Sufficiency Office, for her work in initiating branch advisory and leadership teams in her previous position as manager of the Beaverton Multi-Service Center:
Kelly Franklin was instrumental in facilitating a partnership among New Corporation (a private employer), Rogue Community College and OVRS to prepare, train and employ people with disabilities as service representatives handling extended service plans for repair and replacement of consumer electronics, computers, appliances and other products. Her work has received praise from clients participating in the program, as well as from the director of operations for New Corporation, which -- thanks to the inclusion of Rogue Community College in the effort -- has been able to expand its services without building new facilities.
Phally Nim developed a Branch Advisory Team and a Branch Leadership Team, which were instrumental in guiding decision-making and resolving issues within the Beaverton Multi-Service Center. The teams included representatives from all areas within the office. By allowing staff members to feel safe voicing their thoughts and concerns, Phally was able to gain positive consensus and buy-in for branch activities. She also appointed mentors to new workers to help review their work and coach them on policies, time management and stress coping skills. Phally never stands down from a challenge, always pushing to do just a little more to improve customer service, accuracy and partner relationships.
Bill Bouska -- Mental Health and Addiction Services, Child and Adolescent Service System team leader, for his work on the Children's System Change Initiative, Secure Children's Inpatient Program, and the Secure Adolescent Inpatient Program; and Priscilla (Dee-Dee) Walters, Oregon State Hospital Social Worker, for her work in helping individuals who are released have a better chance to survive successfully:
Bill Bouska has provided leadership, support and made major contributions in improving children's mental health services. Bill encourages his team members to go the extra mile, to think outside the box, and to look for alternatives when problem solving. He encourages team members with questions that will prompt continued thinking and discussion of the problems. He is willing to tackle hard issues and work extended hours when the demand exists.
Dee-Dee Walters is highly committed to providing patients with the utmost care and compassion she can give. Dee-Dee has excelled at discharging patients in a very successful way and has always gone above and beyond what is required to communicate effectively with all community partners. She has taken it upon herself to develop referral systems to help individuals who are released with no resources find housing and money. Dee-Dee also has been known to work evenings, weekends and holidays because of her commitment to quality and to the patient.
Christie Holmgren, Judy Murdza and Paul Lewis -- Public Health, for their work in organizing and holding Oregon's Pandemic Flu Summit:
Christie Holmgren coordinated with the Governor's Office, developed the summit's agenda, provided key language for the agreement signed by Governor Ted Kulongoski and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, and identified the key list of invitees. Judy Murdza secured use of the Oregon Convention Center, compiled and distributed Summit materials, and coordinated all set-up activities. Dr. Paul Lewis ensured Oregon's pandemic flu plan was complete, briefed numerous state officials prior to the summit, and helped articulate how the state would need to coordinate resources in the event of an outbreak. Ultimately, DHS received a great deal of praise from the Governor's Office, legislators and other invitees for the clear, concise, timely and meaningful content of the agenda and panel presentations.
Max Brown, Monica Herrera, Christina Jaramillo, Patricia Roller, Jane-Ellen Weidanz and Tim Williams -- Seniors and People with Disabilities, for their work on the Medicare Modernization Act Project Team.
The Medicare Modernization Act Project Team led DHS through the development of a national model for implementing the largest expansion of Medicare in the program's history. Project manager Jane-Ellen Weidanz and her team members developed a strategic plan that addressed detailed steps, timelines, tasks and outcomes, and came to life in just six months. The changes affected more than 50,000 clients eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and approximately 264,000 low-income subsidy-eligible clients. The team members exhibited creativity and collaboration, and showed a deep caring for each client and a vision for success even during hard times.
Please join with me in congratulating these employees for their outstanding work and thank you for all you do on behalf of Oregonians everywhere.
To provide feedback email: DHS.Directorsoffice@state.or.us
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This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access. |
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