Maplewood staff member Joan Gibson-Sills, far right, poses with environmental services manager Karen Jeffs and co-worker Sol Meones after receiving the Brighton long-term care home's first Certification of Recognition.
New award recognizes outstanding staff members
Monday November 26, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Maplewood has started a monthly employee-recognition certification to be awarded to outstanding staff members who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Betty Brisco, administrator and director of care at the Brighton long-term care home, says the Certificate of Recognition was created because management is trying to be “more and more staff-focused.”

Each month, staff members will have the opportunity to nominate a person who they feel fits the bill as an outstanding employee. After the nominations have been received, the management team selects a winner.

At the end of the month the winner is presented with the certificate and a gift at a small ceremony.

The first Certificate of Recognition has been awarded to Joan Gibson-Sills, who works in the home’s environmental services department.

Karen Jeffs, Maplewood’s environmental services manager and Gibson-Sills’ supervisor, explains why the management team felt Gibson-Sills was a good candidate for the honour.

“She’s very conscientious and she is just an all-around good person,” says Jeffs. “She takes the extra time with residents to straighten up their closets . . . while she’s putting their clothes away. . . . She’s awesome to have on staff. She’s one of these employees that doesn’t realize just how much of a difference they make to the residents by doing little things.”

Gibson-Sills has also started a Christmas list for residents. The list is full of items she feels residents need. Jeffs points out that as an employee in the environmental services department, Gibson-Sills spends a lot of one-to-one time with residents and is in a good position to find out the types of things they want and need.

Jeffs adds that Gibson-Sills can often be found spending time with residents in the home’s palliative care area, talking to residents and comforting them.

Jeffs says she likes the idea of presenting the certificate each month, noting that it’s an excellent way to show other that their work is appreciated.

“I think it’s very important to (staff members),” she says.