Respect: I have always heard Mary McKinney say “Sir” to the Veterans, and thank them for their service; even if she just told them that yesterday.
Advocacy and Excellence: Mary Kay learned of a lag time, from a local hospital regarding Covid testing and results. She had some Veterans that had gone to our local hospital and were tested for Covid. Results were obtained about four to five days later when the hospital would fax the results. When Mary Kay called the patient, to see if they knew the results, she was told they had not. Out of this problem, she telephoned every individual at UPMC NW, that was in a position of assistance, and proposed the problem to them. Mary Kay finally managed to catch the attention of an Emergency Room supervisor there, who in turn had a meeting. Out of this meeting, the supervisor telephoned Mary Kay to let her know that the solution would be solved. UPMC NW hired someone to read every Covid test and notify the patient of the results. Thank you Mary Kay for being a problem solver. This was definitely an impact on services for the patient. She was able to see a problem, and command attention to it.
Compassion: Mary Kay has always been accommodating to the Veterans. If they walk in-they must be seen, even if it is the Nurse, and we inform the provider in between patients. She has never turned away a Veteran in need. I have watched her tell Veteran after Veteran, if she does not have the answer, she will find someone who may have the answer they seek.
Mary Kay is constantly looking at the schedule, and asking for input from staff, on how we may deliver Veteran services every day. Many staff members volunteer for multiple duties, and she does the best she can, in delegating. On the daily schedule, she is always placing a poem, and a picture of the day, to get staff off on the right foot. She does her best to keep morale up. She has done this for years, and this is recognized. At times she is in the background encouraging staff, and she needs to know that this has not gone unnoticed.
Mary Kay is also a peacemaker. She has been known to assist in grievances on more than a couple of occasions, and keep tempers down to a minimum; whether between staff or our Veterans that are upset. She keeps a calm manner, and thus brings the tempers down. She has assisted in keeping calm, thus enabling the Veterans and staff to voice their concerns, and offering her pearls of wisdom in such a way that is never demeaning.
Mary Kay assists in the Food Bank Drive every month, that is held here in Venango County.