Safety first: Parents, families celebrate Environmental Services team

Every team member, in every role, contributes to our patients’ experience and the comprehensive care we offer. Recently, families of patients at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital celebrated the work of an important part of our care team – Environmental Services.

Our Environmental Services team helps keep the hospital clean, safe, and accessible for children. Many of our youngest patients may be away from home for the first time, and some end up needing to stay in the hospital for days or weeks.

Natalie Bushaw, chair of the hospital’s Parent and Family Advisory Council, said the clean spaces our team members maintain help patients and their families feel safe. The council recognized this important work by presenting the Environmental Services team with its 2022 Impact Award. The award celebrates their exceptional service and commitment to improving care for patients and families.

“We know that the work of Environmental Services isn’t glamorous and can be downright filthy, but the work is vital and is not taken for granted by our Parent and Family Advisory Council,” Bushaw said.

Furthermore, the interactions between team members and patients and families make an impact.

“Not unlike doctors and nurses, the people who work in Environmental Services are faces of the hospital to patients and families,” Bushaw said. “A warm smile, a friendly hello and maybe a conversation in addition to the level of care they take in their job can be a difference maker to families.”

"My team are heroes to me," said Ron Burke, M Health Fairview Environmental Services Manager. "They do their jobs to the best of their ability with many different variables thrown at them day after day. They are polite and caring and treat our patients like family. I am very proud to be leading this team, and to see them get recognized brought tears to my eyes."

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