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Charles Mathison, RN, BSN, CWOCN, program coordinator, recently received one of the 2004 Wisconsin Health Care Employee Pride Recognition Awards. Mathison, who has been with the hospital since 1986, is a Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse Specialist.
The Wisconsin Health Care Employee Pride Program is designed to celebrate the healthcare workforce and the factors that distinguish it from other careers. “I get immense gratification working in the healthcare profession knowing that I am helping others to reach the ultimate goal of each and every one of us each day — wellness,” Mathison says.
He began as an assistant in the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Gastroenterology Department, but a year later joined the Froedtert staff as a food service assistant. It was then he decided to become a registered nurse. He realized his dream in 1990, and while working full time, went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 2001, Mathison became the hospital’s first Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse Specialist.
Mathison was one of 69 employees from hospitals across the state who were chosen by their institutions for their essays on what led them to work in a hospital. In his essay, Mathison wrote “Every day at Froedtert Hospital reaffirms my decision to become a healthcare professional. The people I work with are fantastic. I see almost every nook and cranny in our hospital, chasing my patients all over, and what I see is a great sense of teamwork and pride in the job that each person does.”
All the winners wrote about the importance of their career to them, and how the talents, skills and dedication of each employee in a healthcare setting is related to the same goal — delivering high-quality patient care.
“Healthcare employees rise to the challenges before them every day with care, competence, and compassion,” said WHA President Steve Brenton in addressing the honorees. “You can have the best technology in the world, but what our patients remember about being in a hospital is meeting you, seeing how much you care about them and their families. You are the face of healthcare.”
Mathison leads by example in his work, according to Mary Lou Lieven, director of nursing communication and special projects. “Chuck is an excellent resource. He is credible, competent, respected and knowledgeable. He does a great job and he finds creative solutions to problems his patients may be experiencing. Working with him, patients are able to achieve their maximum outcome,” says Lieven.
The winners were recognized at the Pride Program recognition dinner held in April at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The Wisconsin Health Care Employee Pride Program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, Wisconsin Society of Healthcare Human Resources Administration, the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives and the Wisconsin Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society.
Congratulations, Charles!
Author: Joan Cotter Pike Date: Aug. 31, 2005 Last Review Date: Sept. 13, 2005 Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler |