SSM Health Care ― St. Louis invests in employees with leadership training
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, MO — As a supervisor in the Respiratory and Pulmonary department at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, Ericka Jefferson was a natural leader, readily tackling each new challenge thrown her way. Jefferson’s leadership skills were well known by her colleagues as a key driver of her team’s satisfaction, productivity, and mission focus.
Recognizing the importance of influencers like Jefferson, SSM Health Care-St. Louis (SSMSTL) invests in the education and development of current employees through its Emerging Leaders program introduced in fall 2010. Starting its second year, Emerging Leaders is both a recognition and training opportunity for those chosen by peer nomination and committee to participate. View a list of employees selected for the 2011-2012 Emerging Leaders program.
“Emerging Leaders is SSM Health Care – St. Louis’ commitment and investment in our current employees,” said Maureen Siders, SSM St. Mary’s Health Center Human Resource Consultant. “Our future leaders will emerge from our current staff.”
For Jefferson, the one-year Emerging Leaders program taught her valuable management skills she now uses in her new direct-management position as Team Leader of Respiratory and Pulmonary Therapy at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center.
Jefferson describes her Emerging Leaders experience as “icing on the cake” and, as a result, feels even more dedicated to SSMSTL as an employee. “I was honored to be chosen to participate in the Emerging Leaders program,” said Jefferson. “I appreciate the opportunity to build upon and advance my leadership skills.”
Annually, up to ten employees are selected by peer nomination and review from each SSMSTL entity to participate in Emerging Leaders. The program includes educational training, practicum skills training and mentoring over a one-year period. Participants also develop and manage a project from start to finish that provides practicum leadership experience.
Jefferson’s Emerging Leaders project reduced response-times for Respiratory Therapists to meet the critical needs of ER patients. The results benefit patients seeking quicker care and the ER staff constantly challenged to respond promptly to a growing number of patients.
Jefferson’s project also raised awareness of her department and improved the patient experience for the more than 45,000 patients that enter SSM St. Mary’s through the Emergency Room.
“All along I have felt like this organization supports their employees, but after the experience with emerging leaders I feel like I have more input into the company, and they truly value what I have to offer,” Jefferson said.
About SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
Conveniently located in Richmond Heights, Mo., SSM St. Mary's Health Center is a contemporary, 525-bed hospital with distinctive capabilities in high-risk obstetrical services, fetal surgery, state-of-the-art heart surgery, a chest pain center, advanced stroke care, and the latest imaging and outpatient services. Also a teaching hospital, SSM St. Mary’s Health Center is home to an accredited internal medicine residency program and to Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Obstetrics/Gynecology and Family Practice residency programs. SSM St. Mary's Health Center is winner of the Premier QUEST High Performing Hospital award. It is a member of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, a Missouri Quality Award winner. To learn more, visit www.ssmhealth.com/stmarys.
About SSM Health Care ― St. Louis
SSM Health Care – St. Louis’ mission statement — “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God” — is embodied by 11,000 employees and 2,500 staff physicians. Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, the health care network offers comprehensive health care services, but specializes in heart, cancer, neurosciences, pediatrics, weight-loss, sleep, imaging, behavioral health, rehab and fetal surgery. A winner of the Missouri Quality Award and multiple Best Places to Work awards, SSM Health Care – St. Louis includes seven hospitals ― Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, DePaul Health Center, St. Clare Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center – Wentzville, St. Joseph Hospital West and St. Mary’s Health Center ― a free-standing ambulatory care center (St. Joseph Medical Park), plus a Managed Care Organization (MCO), and a Physicians' Organization (PO). Go to www.ssmhealth.com for more information.
For media inquires, contact:
Stacey L. Rynders
Communications Specialist
SSM St. Mary's Health Center
314-768-8801 (office)
314-306-7866 (cell)
314-908-0688 (pager)
Stacey_L_Rynders@ssmhc.com