Recently, WVU Medicine Potomac Valley Hospital had a special opportunity to connect with children from Keyser Primary School (KPS). According to the first grade team at KPS, “Every year, first grade organizes the community helper event to bring awareness of different job and professionals in our community. The goal is to teach students about different opportunities they may have and where they may see people with these jobs within our community.”
During the Community Helper event, staff from Potomac Valley Hospital took advantage of the opportunity to talk with kids about what to expect during various visits with doctors and hospitals. Advanced Practice Provider, Marie Del Signore spent time with each child, conducting mock exams to show that a visit to the doctor does not have to be something to be afraid of. Additional staff were available to answer questions and demonstrate the “vein finder.” The vein finder is a handheld device designed to help healthcare professionals locate veins, using vein visualization technology. This device is used in multiple departments within the hospital, to help ease placement of IV’s, blood draws, etc.
Over the last year, Potomac Valley has empowered employees to create a shared governance model, where employees discuss and identify issues at the organizational and community level. This model has led to Employee Engagement Meetings, where employees are coming up with more and more ideas regarding how to help our local community. “Our staff are constantly striving to get involved in community endeavors and activities and this seemed like the perfect fit,” says Senior Director of Human Resources, Dianne Smith. She continued “We would like to take advantage of every opportunity with community schools in an effort to acquaint children with our facility and help ensure they understand the importance of taking care of their health.”
