 |
From left, Domingas Fernandes and Valerie Ward, MD, MPH |
This month, Children's Hospital Boston honors Valerie Ward, MD, MPH, faculty in the Department of Radiology, and Domingas Fernandes, Environmental Services assistant and training group leader.
Black Achiever Domingas Fernandes
has worked in Environmental Services since 1986. She started out as an assistant and was so dedicated and detail-oriented that new employees were often sent to her for training. In 2005, her mentorship role was made official when she was named training group leader. With 300 people in the department, she trains or retrains one or two people a week in cleaning techniques and proper chemical use. Fernandes also works with nursing staff on any issues that might arise on 7 West. "Domingas always demonstrates teamwork," says her manager, Joe Quinn, director of Environmental Services. "Her positive attitude helps
others achieve more."
Even though she's dedicated to her co-workers, Fernandes keeps patients and families her top priority. She does her best to make them feel at home, and she can be seen talking with patients in the hallways in her native Portuguese. "She always tells her trainees to clean as if they were cleaning for their own families," says Quinn. He remembers the many letters of appreciation sent to Fernandes from families. One mother said Fernandes was an inspiration to her son over the years, and although he'd be moving to another floor, they wished she could join them.
 |
The Black Achievers selection committee is headed by Jessica Henderson-Daniel, MD, on right. |
Our other Black Achiever, Valerie Ward, MD, MPH, attended Harvard and did her fellowship at Children's. Since she became a staff member in 2000, she's made significant research
contributions and furthered the hospital's diversity efforts through her work on the Diversity and Cultural Competency
Council (DCCC). Ward was named faculty co-chair of the DCCC in 2006 and works with the group to create a workplace that embraces diversity and culturally competent clinical care by teaching and researching disparities in health outcomes. "Her ability to formulate strategic plans is impressive, and her upbeat, can-do attitude is infectious, guaranteeing that everyone on the committee has made a true commitment to the effort," says her mentor, S. Jean Emans, MD, chief of Adolescent Medicine and director of the Office of Faculty Development.
|
