Associate #1 - Malia has done so much for the Cerner project team and the client project team! She is so respected by the Cerner team, that many of the associates call her Mama. As a more senior associate on the project, I can say that I have never worked with a clinical consultant that demonstrates so much concern for her fellow associates, and really strives to understand their side of every issue. We have dealt with some very difficult and unusual things with this client. And because of Malia's demeanor on the project, we have been able to get through them all with no difficulties at all. Malia also demonstrates a few other admirable qualities. Not only is she a good listener about client related issues, she takes the time to learn about everyone on the project. She is also instrumental in using humor in appropriate situations, to get us through tough times. She was also a mentor to one of my new reports, and instrumental in his development. We know for those of that travel almost every week, that it is very hard to do the "extras", but Malia always has the "time" to answer emails, and to work with newer folks on the team.
Associate #2 - Her dedication to improve workflows and outcomes for our clients are second to none. She truly cares about making health care better, and it's obvious even if you observe her for 30 minutes.
On top of unparalleled efforts to improve the health care provided by her clients, she exhibits an enviable ability to develop and strengthen relationships with Cerner associates. She's the kindest and most caring associate I have worked with in my years at Cerner. Her laughter and positive attitude is contagious. Even when times get tough, she will find a way to put a positive spin on any situation, and will work tirelessly to ensure that things work out. Everyone loves her. And we all love her, not only for her wonderful personality, but also for her dedication and uncanny ability to find solutions for every challenging situation. She has definitely been the mother hen of the project. Her leadership, effort and personality has defined the project. She is one of the biggest reasons that the project was such a success.
Associate #3 - Malia demonstrates a level of responsiveness to associates needs that we just normally don't see. I can truly point to Malia's leadership and character as the catalyst that opened doors for every solution team to connect with their respective client counterparts. This fostered an environment for accountability and friendship. Malia's experience with behavioral health (BH) was integral in designing workflows with patient safety in mind.
Associate #4 - Malia was assigned to our project since shortly after contract signing, over 20 months ago. Malia's contributions span far beyond the typical clinical workflows and value statements that one might expect. With her background from Billings Clinic and the Dignity Health project, Malia drew on her background as a behavioral health nurse to actively engage project leadership, both from Cerner and the client, and to lead the course for the clinically driven revenue cycle and full clinical suite implementation for 16 facilities, nationwide. Malia's contributions with the combined project team fostered a sense of community and helped the two teams work together to improve clinical process that would benefit the client, while ensuring patient safety. In addition, she reminded the Cerner team and those even distantly connected to the implementation about the importance of the work that we were doing. Malia's clinical experience and her BH background helped earn credibility within Cerner in a number of ways - the most important being the FIRST Cerner addiction rehabilitation client.
Our client is neither a hospital nor a clinic. It's an inpatient and residential addiction rehab center. Therefore, Malia used her clinical experiences to guide Cerner consultants to think creatively about our solutions. We did not implement inpatient, ambulatory, long term care or even behavioral health in their truest Cerner forms. Additionally, Malia worked closely with the BH consultants to figure out a way to propose and sell the tracking shell to the client as a solution to their unique need for a detailed patient list, even though they do have EDs in any of their facilities. From there she had to guide the ED consultant on what needed to be built, since this was so far away from the Cerner norm.
Malia has been viewed as a critical member of the project management team, a supportive peer to the client and Cerner consultants, and a guide for counselors and other clinicians on-site. Her level of experience at Cerner have never been questioned because she brings her wealth of lifetime experiences to the client, and speaks with confidence, professionalism, and authority. The client respects her so much that she was allowed to bring new Cerner nurses onsite for shadowing experiences.
October 1 is the final go-live event for this client, and we can honestly say that Malia's contributions to the project as well as the team camaraderie were key factors in the success of this project, including our overall ability to deliver 16 facilities on time and under budget. We cannot think of a better way to recognize everything that Malia has done, than to award her the DAISY. We are all so proud of her, and happy to call her our associate.
Associate #5 - When I think about the DAISY Award and Malia Welhaven I can't think of two more cohesive and intertwined elements. Malia's ability to connect with clients not only on a business level but a personal level is un-paralleled in my 12 years at Cerner. She's truly a diamond when it comes to Cerner's responsibility to connect and care for our clients. The breadth and depth of what she's learned and accomplished in her time at Cerner can't be beat and I can't think of another person I would want to see get this award more than Malia. I'm reminded of all the times when tensions were high not only with the client but with our project team and Malia stepped in went into "mom mode" and was able to defuse situations that executives at Cerner wouldn't be able to handle. She seeks to find answers that are meaningful and right for our clients and her ability to see through the minutiae that can bog us all down is one of her best qualities. She's caring and smart and in healthcare technology that's hard to find.