Saint Joseph's Hospital has a more than 100-year history of providing care to people in our communities, especially to the poor. Since our founding by Mother Frances Streitel, the organization has been characterized by holistic service to people accomplished through a caring and compassionate spirit. This spirit, alive today as it was years ago, is vital to our existence in the future - for employees, patients and families who enter our doors. Our four core values of Service, Vision, Presence, and Justice are deeply rooted in our heritage. Our Mission of striving to continually improve the health and well-being of all the people we serve incorporates these four core values. Each employee is called upon to become a steward of these values as part of an affiliation with Saint Joseph's Hospital. It is extremely important that work behaviors are reflective of these values -- it is the way our patients, family members, and visitors see us and the way in which patient care is delivered.

Living the 4 Core Values

Service, Presence, Justice, and Vision. These are the four core values of Saint Joseph's Hospital. These behaviors are evident in how we do our individual work as well as how we function in relationships with others - peers, patients, co-workers, families, physicians, and the general public. At Saint Joseph's Hospital, our Mission's success depends on the commitment of each hospital employee to embody these core values in their daily work, and to exemplify the behaviors expressed in each value.

Commitment to Wellness

The mission of Saint Joseph's Hospital is to continually improve the health and well-being of all people, particularly the poor. That same mission applies to Hospital employees, who are encouraged to improve their health status by practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors and experiences in seven dimensions of wellness: physical, social, intellectual, occupational, environmental, emotional, and spiritual. By making positive lifestyle choices in these areas, the employees of Saint Joseph's Hospital significantly improve their quality of life. Our employee wellness program is called WellnessWorks. The program components include an employee health/wellness program, free on-site wellness center, education, and incentives for healthy behaviors.

Recognition & Awards

At Saint Joseph's Hospital, we believe recognition ...

• Is part of our "commitment of caring" for our employees and is essential to the creation of a value-based culture, consistent with our mission and values.
• Is an acknowledgment, a favorable notice, show of appreciation, reinforcement, positive performance, saying "thank you," "well done," "we value you as an employee."
• Nourishes the mind and spirit of employees, builds relationships and increases the retention of our valuable employees.
• Is one means of providing "meaningful feedback to help others develop their skill."
• Models the way for employees to recognize and inspire others. Serves to motivate other employees.
• Is "giving of the heart" in simple intrinsic actions, such as taking time to notice, searching out the responsible employee and personally delivering praise.

Participation

Employees at Saint Joseph's Hospital participate in process-improvement activities, serve on committees, and interact with leaders of the organization in a variety of forums, including "Out to Lunch" and "Take a Break" sessions with senior management. Many of these information-sharing programs take place on various hospital units, allowing busy caregivers and support staff to attend with minimal disruption to their daily work activities. Employees at Saint Joseph's Hospital are encouraged to express their opinions and tap their leadership potential by participating in the multitude of training sessions and continuing education opportunities that are offered.

Consensus & Teams

Emphasizing mission, values and culture, Saint Joseph's Hospital fosters a collaborative environment with respect for individual differences, building consensus and teamwork. Saint Joseph's Hospital provides a strong foundation and the organizational tools needed to achieve this type of work environment. Ultimately, our goal is to create a culture where our Mission and Values are integrated into everything we do, where employees are satisfied and enjoy coming to work each day, and where we truly work together as a team.

Communication & Respect

How a community treats its most vulnerable members is a sign of its commitment to the common good. It is this "social solidarity" - the unity that develops from shared responsibility for the welfare of others in a community - that helps us ensure that those in need receive the help and assistance they deserve. That same spirit of open communication and respect of individual differences - applied to everyday work activities -- helps foster the mission, values and culture of the organization.

Commitment to the Underserved

Our Mission as a Catholic healthcare system is to further the healing ministry of Jesus by continually improving the health and well-being of all people, especially the poor, in the communities we serve. Each year employees of Saint Joseph's Hospital and other Ministry organizations give generously to the poor through gifts of time, expertise and financial aid. Together, we are taking responsibility for the health of those we serve and working toward the common good of all. The Ministry Health Care Fund, created in 1988, provides full or partial funding for special projects in the many communities we serve. All Ministry Health Care organizations, including Saint Joseph's Hospital, set aside funds each year to assist with the specific needs of the community and the poor. As the Ministry Health Care fund, these dollars are funneled back into our communities for a variety of programs and services.