The executive team at Sherman Hospital has created a culture that affords employees the opportunity to work within a dynamic, progressive environment where innovation is supported and encouraged. The leadership team held Town Hall meetings with the employees throughout the construction process. This was done to keep the lines of communication open. The State's inspection criterion to open a new hospital is intense; every employee needed to know their purpose to ensure the targeted opening date would be met. Sacrifices were made over the course of construction to free up funds; employees were asked to contribute to the fund-raising efforts. In late October of 2009, excitement at the impending State inspection and grand opening was mounting. The hospital passed inspection the first time through (virtually unheard of!), thanks in large part to the employees and the extensive planning done by the hospital transition team.
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It was time to reward the employees and give them a sneak peek at the hospital they would soon call home. A party was just what the doctor ordered. Employees were encouraged to bring their families. It was anticipated that 3,000 guests or more might attend.
Challenges
- Provide a delicious menu with broad appeal that could be enjoyed as much at 10:00 a.m. as 2:00 p.m. by adults, the elderly and children, that was plentiful, neat and tidy, and at the lowest price possible.
- Create a presentation of the food and buffets that was attractive, but not ostentatious. It was preferred that money be spent on food.
Solution
The idea was to keep the menu simple, healthy and bountiful with items that Tasty could produce fresh, on site, throughout the event. Healthy vegetables, a variety of cheeses and mini sandwiches were selected. For a treat, large chewy cookies were freshly baked that morning in our commissary.
Four multi-sided buffets would be set up in the lower level café area. In keeping with the hospital's patient centered care approach, that promotes a more model of care that personalizes and demystifies the healthcare experience, Tasty used its knowledge of the hospital President's love of nature and the color palette of their new logo to create the buffets. Each was unique, but complimentary of the others. The floral arrangements featured a component of wild, native prairie flowers, and to add interest to the site line, each arrangement was built in different shapes, using different flowers.
Results
For over three years, the employees of Sherman Hospital "patiently" waited for their brand new replacement hospital to be built. The day finally came when the employees and their families were given a private party to tour their new home, mingle with friends, and enjoy a light meal. The day culminated in a poignant ribbon cutting ceremony with the long-awaited message: "Welcome home."
The Sherman Hospital Grand Opening event was deemed as great success, as it was awarded the 2010 NICE Best Catered Off Premise Event over $25,000!
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