‘The power of one’ becomes even more powerful during the pandemic
"Be the change you wish to see in this world.”
That’s the Mahatma Gandhi saying that comes to mind when one RN at Thompson Health’s M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center thinks of the facility’s director of nursing, Diane Hayton.
Hayton, Denise Devuyst said, is one of those unsung heroes whose thoughtfulness and kindness have had a tremendous ripple effect throughout the pandemic, demonstrating what Devuyst calls “the power of one.”
Over the past year and a half, often at times when the facility was locked down due to COVID-19 precautions, staff members have been greeted upon arrival by a variety of things intended to bring smiles to their faces, Devuyst said. There have been all sorts of treats, holiday decorations and seasonal decorations as well as fun challenges and contests. For one, staff members were encouraged to bring in photos of their pets – living, breathing stress-relievers – to display.
“How can you walk into that facility and see like 200 pets and not smile?” Devuyst said.
According to Vice President of Long-Term Care Amy Daly, Hayton “has recognized the need to keep morale up among ‘CCC’ associates throughout this COVID experience and has, on her own, created these monthly themed events, to stimulate positivity and kind interactions among associates.”
But Hayton says she was actually inspired, early on in the pandemic, by a Thompson colleague who brought her children to the facility to leave the staff colorful chalk drawings and encouraging messages on the sidewalks leading to the entrance. “It felt good to walk in and see something positive, to change the focus from the negative implications of COVID,” she said.
A number of those who work at M.M. Ewing have since come forward with ideas, Hayton added.
“We did a vacation week theme since many people had to give up vacations and they were greeted at the lobby with a tropical paradise. Groundhog Day brought education and some games. For ‘Spring Into Action’ in March, we did origami birds and planted seeds. We had a ‘Bee Attitudes’ week where we thought of all the things we could ‘bee,’ and trophies were provided to the teams with the most positive ideas,” she said.
“The plan is to have a few moments during the month that staff can be greeted with something to take their mind off of COVID,” Hayton added. “It is an opportunity to learn something new, share thankfulness for a peer with a note or a card, or to play a guessing game for a prize that fits with the theme.”
Even something as simple as being handed a snack during the middle of a work day can bring a smile, according to Devuyst. “It just goes so far to know somebody is there, looking out for us and appreciating us,” she said.
Thompson would love to hear what you do at your workplace to relieve stress and lift each others’ spirits. Email Thompson_CorporateCommunications@URMC.Rochester.edu. Depending on the response, we might share your ideas with others in the community!