A 78-year-old woman is enjoying her weekly bingo games much more these days thanks to the work of Pam Frericks, donor services specialist, Blessing Foundation. Pam received the Blessing Health ICARE Excellence award based on a nomination submitted by her department administrative director, Ann Awerkamp Dickson. The award was presented during a surprise presentation on October 23, 2024.
The nomination read, in part: “A unique aspect of the Foundation is that we do not have direct patient care but we do provide care through monetary donations, whether that is funds for transportation, lodging, food, medical equipment, gasoline, medication, utilities, food or clothing. In this nominee’s work life, she practices daily “There but for the grace of God, go I”.
Pam Frericks goes the extra mile and truly with the personality trait of flexibility and a good attitude. Through working in the Foundation, Pam is exposed to devastating stories and crisis situations daily and is so appreciative that lives are improved by the work she is doing daily.
She has been at Blessing in the Foundation since 2014, and for 10 years, whether it be a patient or an employee, she follows up on the need or case to make sure something that was to occur actually happened - to be thorough each and every time. Pam knows people within departments who specialize in various aspects of care, she knows who to call and involve in the situation to be expedient for the patient/customer.”
The nomination went on to explain how Pam used her networking skills to help the 78-year-old woman get her broken hearing aid fixed when she did not know where to turn: “The patient was so happy, and Pam told the patient that she qualified for assistance and the Foundation would take care of the charges. The best news of all that the patient shared with Pam was that she can now hear “BINGO” called when she plays each week.
Pam put herself in the caller’s shoes. She owned the phone call, regularly kept up with the patient as to what was occurring, and kept in contact with the Audiology manager. It does take a team and in the end the patient’s need and happiness was achieved.”
Blessing Health employees nominate their peers for an ICARE award based on their demonstration of any one – or all – of Blessing Values which include Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.