At Children’s, every member of our team is essential to helping us fulfill our Mission to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow.

A new employee-led program called “Adopt-A-Team” aims to reinforce our team’s connection to the Mission and boost morale by recognizing the unique contributions of every employee, no matter their role.

As part of the program, non-clinical department members who work at the Children's Support Center “adopt” clinical teams. The goal is to provide non-clinical staff a closer look at the clinical setting and allow them an opportunity to offer encouragement and show support to their clinical colleagues. In turn, clinical teams feel more connected to their non-clinical coworkers.

Marketing and Communications Adopts the Scottish Rite Hospital Emergency Department (ED)

The Marketing and Communications department adopted the Scottish Rite Hospital ED just in time to offer added support during the holiday season. After collaborating with the ED team to determine what contributions would matter most, they started a clothing drive to collect items for the Scottish Rite ED “Clothing Closet,” which provides new clothing options for patients and families who need them while in our care or when they are discharged.

By the end of December, the team was able to gather more than 100 pieces of clothing for the closet—ranging from leggings and sweatpants to T-shirts and hoodies.

“Employees in both day and night shifts were so appreciative of the Marketing and Communications team helping to restock our clothing closet,” said Michelle Clark, Assistant Manager, Nursing, Scottish Rite. “Our Mission is at the forefront of everything we do, but sometimes we need help remembering that we are not alone in it."

"Just knowing that this group of people was on our side and supported us and our patients was incredibly uplifting.”

As a fun offering to further show support, Marketing and Communications also raffled off tickets for a concert to lucky ED employees. And plans are in the works for fun, seasonal activities held throughout the year to remind ED employees they are appreciated.

Managed Care Adopts the Egleston Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

After a brainstorm to determine the best way to support the Egleston Hospital PICU team, staff from the Managed Care department, who are responsible for negotiating contracts with managed care companies and other facilities, decided to shower their clinical colleagues with surprises. They organized a surprise goodie cart rounding with drinks, snacks and personal items, such as lip balm and nail files. Then the Managed Care team stocked the PICU breakroom with a salsa and queso bar for the department to enjoy—complete with handwritten thank you cards for each of the more than 160 staff members.

“Getting the opportunity to see the staff in action…has helped us better connect to the purpose behind the work we do.”

“We wanted to give back to all of those who have given so much to our most vulnerable patients,” said Emma Stewart, Project Coordinator, Managed Care. “Getting the opportunity to see the staff in action and hand write cards for each of them has helped us better connect to the purpose behind the work we do in Managed Care and see how our PICU employees work toward our Mission every day.”

According to Andrew McGinty, Manager, Clinical Operations, the PICU team greatly appreciated the thoughtful surprises from their non-clinical co-workers.

“Emma and her team have done a great job supporting our team,” said Andrew. “She has made sure to find ways to make positive impacts while minimizing disruption on the workflow of the unit. Our employees loved the snacks and cards, and we were really touched by how much time they spent putting together this surprise for our team.”

Children's Foundation Adopts the Hughes Spalding Emergency Department (ED)

Eager to show appreciation for their adopted team, the Foundation team, who work to raise awareness and support for our not-for-profit healthcare System, decided to treat the Hughes Spalding Hospital ED team to festive offerings in the spirit of the season.

“We put together a holiday goodie basket for ED staff to enjoy,” said Emily Crowley, Foundation Program Coordinator. “We also distributed handwritten cards and were able to serve hot chocolate and other sweets to those on the unit.”

Following the success of the holiday treats, the Foundation team members put on St. Patrick’s Day attire in March and handed out goodie bags to ED employees.

The festive surprise was just the unexpected pick-me-up the ED team needed. “We had high numbers of patients that day, and we were feeling busy and strained,” said Heather Kersh, Manager, Clinical Operations. “There was a visible shift to joy and relief when the Foundation team made their rounds with the surprises. It’s been so rewarding to connect with their team in a deeper way through Adopt-A-Team and learn more about what they do to help us provide excellent care to kids.”

Expanding "Adopt-A-Team" to Reach More Employees

With lessons learned from a successful pilot, we look forward to expanding Adopt-A-Team—allowing for more non-clinical departments to adopt clinical teams on a rotating basis. Eventually, we hope every clinical team will have the opportunity to be adopted and experience the camaraderie andn deeper connection to the Mission that unites every Children’s employee.

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