Gloria Givens is ALMH October Employee of the Month [October 22, 2010]  While handling your daily job responsibilities is a standard business expectation, running a department when a co-worker is gone for an extended period of time requires grace under pressure. And that's why Gloria Givens was honored as October Employee of the Month at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

"I have watched Gloria work solo in sterile processing over the last several months. She has adjusted her hours to keep this essential department running smoothly so that our surgical patients are kept safe," says nominator and co-worker Adrienne Hahn.

"She has a wonderful sense of humor and handles what would be normally a very stressful time with that sense of humor and hard work. She makes ALMH a great place to work and creates a great patient experience by running a vital department well under difficult circumstances."

Givens has worked in sterile processing for 11 years, though she previously worked at ALMH in physical therapy for 13 years. Her current role required a three-month course and certification with the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management. She must also receive continuing education annually to maintain her position.

In sterile processing at ALMH, Givens performs cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and inventory management activities for clinical departments in the hospital.

"Every day is a little different. That's what I love," Givens says. "You never know what might have happened the night before or what they'll add on for today. We are just one of the departments that keep all departments ready for babies, surgeries and emergencies."

She enjoys working at ALMH because it's a fun and challenging career, and it's gratifying.

"At the end of the day, going home knowing you gave your very best that someone else may benefit ... is very self-satisfying," she says. "Not to mention all the other great people who do this without even thinking, just caring for you."

Sterile processing is a great job for those who are detail-oriented and like the daily feeling of accomplishment, according to Givens.

"If you'd like a career that's constantly moving toward the future and improving the quality of daily living for a patient to achieve after a surgery, this just might be for you," she says.

ALMH employs more than 290 in a wide variety of job functions. A different employee is honored each month for their commitment to creating great patient experiences, getting great results and making ALMH a great place to work.

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital]