Ideas That Work: Holiday Spirit

Last year was obviously challenging for our surgery center. The staff was physically and emotionally exhausted from working in one of COVID-19's first national hot spots, and sorely needed the annual holiday dinner to regroup and celebrate something. When our governor recently added statewide restrictions on social gatherings, our staff's disappointment was palpable. I overheard the whispered conversations in the hallways: "Yet another letdown. 2020 stinks. We just can't catch a break." A lightbulb went off in my head: We have ties to many local businesses that are struggling through the pandemic. Why not help us both by ordering food from area restaurants for the staff? The surgeons loved the idea and agreed to sponsor it. We asked staff for their favorite dishes from nearby eateries, and had several individually packaged meals delivered throughout December during a socially distanced, month-long celebration. Even though the holidays have passed, you can still order occasional treats from local restaurants to boost staff morale as well as the local economy.

Carmen M. Wilson
Proliance Eastside AUA Surgery Center
Kirkland, Wash.
[email protected]