Surgical staff say they feel supported at Sanford

Teammates feel camaraderie is tangible, and leadership is "always advocating for us"

Surgical staff say they feel supported at Sanford

Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest impact.

“Special” is a word the surgical staff have used to describe what it’s like working at Sanford Health. They say when they start their day, they know there will be no shortage of small gestures and support from their colleagues.

Lots of food, even more smiles

At the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the latest example of this is a barbecue lunch — where supervisors and staff sit side by side.

The lunch had it all. Burgers, brats, hot dogs, salads, chips, cookies, cupcakes, pop, and even a raffle where employees could win certain prizes.

“You get to sit by someone in a different department than you, and get to celebrate the whole, big picture. That’s why it’s one of my two favorite days of the year,” Amy Tobin, director of surgical services said, through a big smile.

Tobin said these meals are a great chance to connect and have fun with her employees.

“I’ve never worked as a nurse in any of these departments, so it’s been great and very helpful to learn from them and hear from them what they need me to advocate for,” she said.

“It’s always lighthearted, it’s always fun, it’s always a good time. It’s a good time to relax.”

‘They care about us’

Damien Moulton is a circulating surgical nurse at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls.

Moulton said he couldn’t imagine working anywhere else because he feels supported by leadership at Sanford Health.

“These guys have our backs. They want the best for us. They’re always advocating for us.”

Not only leaders and supervisors, but he feels supported by all his colleagues as well.

“The nurses, the techs, the anesthesiologists, the surgeons, the nurse practitioners, the PAs, we all really know each other. We all ask about each other’s families. It’s a pretty close group.”

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Posted In People & Culture, Sioux Falls