Melissa Lewellen Smith from Texas Children’s Heart Center is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “My consistent motivation for providing good care and service is knowing that I am helping to improve the experiences and outcomes of our patients and families,” Smith said.
Read more of Smith’s interview:
Q&A: Melissa Lewellen Smith, October 2014 Employee
Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Melissa Lewellen Smith, Registered Nurse, Pacemaker & Electrophysiology Services (Within Cardiology). I have worked here 16 years.
What month are you Super Star for?
October 2014
Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
I returned to work after two weeks of vacation on October 9, 2014 and was in our morning EP service meeting. Our meeting was interrupted by our administrative assistant to let us know our director of cardiology called an urgent meeting in the living area on the 19th floor. When our team arrived, everyone was cheering and clapping. I was totally confused. Our director, Matthew Timmons, then announced the fantastic news. We had a celebratory breakfast and I was presented with flowers and a gift. It was such a phenomenal surprise that I will never forget!!
What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do?
As a nurse, your main drive is to take care of the patients/families you’re servicing and to try and give your best while providing great care. When providing care, the furthest thing in my thoughts is being recognized for that service. It is always wonderful and special to be recognized for good work and deeds.
What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
Consistently going above and beyond the call of duty without being asked to do so. Having a strong passion and love for what you do on a daily basis that always shines in the care and service that you provide to others.
What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
My consistent motivation for providing good care and service is knowing that I am helping to improve the experiences and outcomes of our patients and families.
What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
I’ve always loved the sense of “family” at Texas Children’s. Working at Texas Children’s almost 16 years now, the relationships you develop from physicians and nursing colleagues to patients and families feels more like an extended family than it does a job. A lot of my patients I have known since they were newborns or very young children. You watch these small children grow into young adults or from young adults into adulthood. Those children and their families come to see you as not only a health care professional and caretaker but a member of their own family. In turn, my job as a nurse over time, has become more than just taking care of my “patients.” It has evolved into feeling like I am taking care of members of my own family. I truly embrace the lasting friendships and relationships I have developed through my role as a nurse at Texas Children’s.
Anything else you want to share?
I am so very appreciative for the recognition!!