Environmental Services Week 2023: THA Member Hospital Spotlights

September 10-16, 2023 was Environmental Services (EVS) Week. EVS Week is a time to show appreciation for dedicated EVS personnel who ensure healthcare facilities are clean, safe places for patients, families, and staff. During this week, THA shared EVS staff spotlights submitted by THA member facilities. Follow THA on Instagram and Facebook to like, comment, and share the spotlights.

Ascension Saint Thomas Stones River

Pictured from left to right - Ellen Marino, Penny McCord, Donna Nichols (housekeeping) and Skyler Cantrell (supervisor). Not pictured: Amy Miller (housekeeper) and Sandy Ayala (director).

“We would like to thank the wonderful EVS Staff at Ascension Saint Thomas Stones River for making our patients, staff, and facility safe and clean. The hard work and dedication of these ladies goes above and beyond any of their job descriptions and is greatly appreciated! They truly live with purpose and calling.” -Daisy Gannon, Pharmacy Manager

Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital

Julius Grant, Director of Environmental Services and Patient Transport (left) and Syreeta Dixon, Associate Director of Environmental Services (right)

“The Environmental Services (EVS) team at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital is the heartbeat of our facility! We take every opportunity we can to elevate and recognize them. Our team of rock stars does an incredible job meeting our room turnaround time and patient experience goals. The team has made a tremendous impact on top box scores for cleanliness of the hospital environment improving to the 51st percentile rank in Q4 FY2023, up from 14th percentile rank in the previous year. We are truly grateful for all they do each and every day to support our patients and their families!”  -Whitney L. Hall, Associate Operating Officer

Hardin Medical Center

HMC EVS team members: Robbin Bumphus, Diane Sanderson, Neal Lillard, Sandy Trosper, Kristy Ferriera, Corey Anglin, Sandy Nowlin, Deanne Thorne, Joyce Franks, Lonnie Wilkerson, Iven Lindsey, Elsa Ramos, Haley Mitchell, Tabitha Easley, Elizabeth Davey, and EVS Director Ken Bingham

“The Hardin Medical Center EVS team is a vital force driving positive change within our facility and among our patients. Their meticulous attention to cleanliness and hygiene creates a safe and sanitized environment that promotes healing and wellness. Their unwavering commitment to excellence enhances the overall patient experience and plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of infections, ensuring a healthier and more comfortable atmosphere for all. We love our EVS team here at HMC!” -Lisa A. Peterson, Director of Marketing

Macon Community Hospital

(L to R) Brittany Brown, EVS Tech, Amanda Burnley, EVS Director, Wendy Wilson, Freedom Nash, and Dawn Nash (all EVS Techs)

“Celebrating Environmental Services Week is a wonderful way to show appreciation for the hardworking team members who help keep our environment clean and safe. These are just a few of Macon Community Hospitals dedicated Environmental Service team members!” -Stacey Brawner, Director Marketing, Patient Advocate & Volunteer Services

TriStar Summit Medical Center

“Roderick Grigsby is a Floor Technician at Tristar Summit Medical Center, who always goes above and beyond. Roderick often steps outside his role to assist in ensuring patients’ rooms are thoroughly cleaned and ready for the next patient. Roderick is always willing to jump in to support his fellow coworkers, even offering to come in on the weekends to help supervise. Roderick is a master at all skills, and we appreciate all that he does every day to ensure our patients have a clean and safe environment in which to receive care.” -Aleece Hataway, VP, Quality and Risk Management

Tennova North Knoxville Medical Center

Team and EVS Director Sheila Hawkins (L)

“Our team has taken incredible steps forward since Ms. Hawkins joined our team last year. She has led by example, earning the respect of her team and her hospital colleagues. Among her team the employee satisfaction rate is at 92%, a mark that shows their commitment. Patients benefit from the culture in the department, with HCAHPS taking great leaps forward and sustaining strong results. We’re fortunate to have such a dedicated team and a positive leader like Sheila Hawkins on our team!”
-Drew Grey, Chief Operating Officer

West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital

Pictured left to right: Charles Oninski, 5+ years of service, Glenna Scott, 2 years of service, and Cindy Anderson, 23 years of service. Not pictured: Laurie Dominas, 8 years of service and Annatta Evans, 3 years of service

“We have an AWESOME Environmental Services Staff here at Camden Hospital. They go the extra mile to make patients feel welcomed and cared for. When it comes to creating a work environment that is germ free and clean this group is second to none. Proud to have them on staff!” -Sherry King, Central Services Manager, Environmental Services Manager

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare - Methodist South Hospital

“These are three of our awesome associates!

Charlotte Felts
Mrs. Felts takes extreme pride in the work she does every day. She is always willing to go above and beyond for her patients, hospital staff, and her fellow teammates. Providing a clean and healing environment for the community is her passion.

Diane Peterson
Mrs. Peterson is a dedicated hospital EVS attendant who is very compassionate and takes her job seriously. She performs at a high level of reliability for the administrative team and ensures that those leadership offices are presentable to visitors, staff, and other associates.

Willie Mae Phillips
Mrs. Phillips has cleaning and disinfecting hard wired in her bones. She delivers excellent service to the maternity floor. Her responsibility is to create a lasting impression of cleanliness for the mothers as they bring new life into the world.”

-Vickye Ford, Program Director, Community Development

West Tennessee Healthcare - Bolivar General Hospital

(L) Brandon Williams, Environmental Services Technician, (R) Faniesha Ivey, Environmental Services Technician

“Brandon performs his cleaning duties to WTH standards and maintains friendly relations with patients at our facilities.

Faniesha is our newest full time team member, she also performs her cleaning duties to WTH standards and treats patients and their family members kindly. She communicates well with the clinical staff in our ER to complete her job but does not interfere with patient care at the same time.

Their teamwork, work ethic, and positive attitude are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your hard work.” -Keith Lane, Maintenance/EVS Manager

TrustPoint Hospital

Jacob Council, EVS

“Jacob has been with TrustPoint a little over a year and in this time he has had a great influence to our population. He is assigned EVS duties on our Ault Behavioral Health Unit with a primary focus on thought disorders. He is truly a blessing to our population as he communicates and interacts with empathy and effectiveness. Our patients feel they can communicate openly and honestly with him. He takes the time to engage them in therapeutic ways to ensure their success. He is a solid object to many patients in times of crisis while supporting clinical staff.” -Dana L. Madden, Education/Infection Control

Cookeville Regional Medical Center

“Nothing can happen in a hospital without the EVS team. Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s EVS department serves our 269-bed medical center with excellence, and it shows through innovation, willingness to grow, excellent customer service, and teamwork. Their newly implemented “8 Step of Total Care Cleaning” and CHEST-certified employees greatly impact our medical center as it provides a clean and safe medical center for patients, visitors, and staff.” -Hannah Davis, Marketing & Communications Director