April 13, 2007

Caring for Caregivers

Genesis Employee Emergency Assistance Fund campaign underway

DAVENPORT, IOWA - Life can turn on a dime. Just ask Sheilah Rickey-Jaster, secretary and receptionist for the Pulmonary Unit at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus.

With little warning, she became critically ill and ended up in the Illini Campus Emergency Care Center, where she had emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix. "The surgery went well, but I couldn't go back to work for up to 10 weeks. My paid time off was gone, and the bills were mounting. It was a nightmare," she said. "All I did at home was worry about my unpaid bills and how I could possibly stay afloat. Then, I received a wonderful call from a fellow employee."

That call let Rickey-Jaster know she could get financial help through the Genesis Employee Emergency Assistance Fund. And that help, which came at a difficult time, is the reason she, along with Cali Sergeant, Emergency Room, GMC West Central Park, is serving as co-chairperson of the 2007-2010 Employee Campaign to raise money for the fund. It's the fourth three-year campaign in the program's existence. Both lead a committee of 30 Genesis employees who have organized the fund-raising drive. Already, a mystery dinner held in February raised more than $3,300.

This week, the Genesis "On the Road" bus began making stops at a number of locations around the health system to promote the campaign.

Caring for each other

The Genesis Employee Emergency Assistance Fund was established in 1997 with $10,000 in seed money from Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, at the urging of Genesis President and CEO Leo Bressanelli. He strongly believed in the importance of establishing an emergency fund for employees who find themselves in a financial crisis through no fault of their own. So far, the fund has provided close to $600,000 in grants to more than 1,500 employees.

"Nearly one-third of our lives are spent on the job supporting our lifestyles, but also I believe, because we seek intrinsic rewards, like the opportunity to establish friendships and the gratification that comes from helping others," said Bressanelli. "During that time, we learn to value one another for our personal as well as professional attributes. So providing assistance for a coworker who is struggling with illness or an overwhelming financial burden is as natural – and necessary – as helping a friend."

The fund is intended to be a source of financial assistance, but not the sole means of financial support, during a time of need.

As an emergency response fund, it is a resource when a natural disaster, fire or major illness impacts an employee's immediate ability to provide for minimal survival needs, such as food and shelter. It is not designated to sustain an employee over a period of time.

Financial assistance from the fund can be used for housing, medical deductibles, medication, groceries, clothing, insurance premiums, utilities or transportation.

A call is all it takes

The program can be accessed by calling the Genesis Health Services Foundation, which refers the employee to one of three Human Resources contacts: Jerry McCormick, Vice President, Human Resources, Genesis Health System; Terry Masek, Manager, Human Resources, Genesis, Illini Campus; and Brandi Tiesman, Human Resources Coordinator, Genesis, DeWitt.

The details surrounding each request for assistance are then passed on to one of three employee committees, which review the request to decide if it is appropriate for assistance, and how much should be given. Requests are usually handled within 24 hours.

"It's extremely gratifying to me to have a hand in making a difference in people's lives. Sometimes a little help can make a huge difference," said Masek, the Genesis Employee Emergency Assistance Fund contact at Illini Campus. "Employees who receive help through the program come back more loyal and more willing to help others when they get the chance. And, they appreciate working for an employer who offers this extra assistance beyond the paycheck and normal benefits package."

Earlier this month, 56-year-old Sheilah Rickey-Jaster had another health emergency, and once again the emergency assistance fund came to her aid. She has had diabetes since age 7. “I was having kidney and liver problems and taking multiple shots a day,” she said. “It was suggested that to extend my life that I needed to go on an insulin pump. Although the $6,000 pump is covered by insurance, I couldn’t afford the out-of-pocket expense. The Genesis Employee Emergency Assistance Fund paid that expense and the first three months of supplies. This time, the fund is more than helping me pay my bills; it’s giving me my life and the opportunity to watch my little grandson grow up.”

She added, “I’m thrilled to be part of the committee raising funds for this program. It's my way to pay back the kindness shown to me by my fellow employees," added Rickey-Jaster.

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