Luke Hartsuff, surgical technician (formerly an orderly) at McLaren Greater Lansing, was honored with the BEE Award. The BEE Award, which stands for “Be Extraordinary Every day,” recognizes health care team members who made an extraordinary difference in a patient's care or overall experience.
The nomination, submitted by a coworker, read as follows: “As an orderly in the operating room, Luke has many responsibilities, including cleaning the operating rooms between cases, setting up the surgical beds and positioning equipment as appropriate for each procedure, gathering mechanical equipment as needed for each case, and so much more. When Luke sets up the room for a case, I don't worry if I will have the equipment I need because he always sets up the rooms carefully and accurately. Luke always has a positive attitude and goes out of his way to do anything he can to make things run smoothly for the team and the patients.”
His nominator went on to say, “When asked to run specimens downstairs to pathology or to get blood from the blood bank, he does so happily and efficiently. The last time I asked him to take a specimen, I knew he was already juggling several tasks, so when I thanked him, I acknowledged that he was already busy. He smiled and replied, ‘You don't have to thank me. It's my job.’ I know I can always count on Luke to do whatever needs to be done to make things run smoothly in the operating room.”
Hartsuff was recognized by hospital leadership and coworkers as he received a certificate commending him for “being extraordinary every day.” He received a pin, treats, and a sculpture that symbolizes care and comfort.
Hartsuff has worked at McLaren for almost four years in the second-floor surgery department. He said he went into health care because he always felt a connection to helping and caring for others.
“I like working in the surgery department because it’s often the last line of defense when trying to fix something or address a health problem,” said Hartsuff. “Patients coming in for surgery are usually in a vulnerable state, and I feel privileged to be able to talk with them and help them through what is often a stressful time for them and help calm them.”
About the BEE Award
While nursing staff are often recognized with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the BEE Award was created to symbolize the exceptional care and services delivered by hospital team members outside of the nursing profession.
If you would like to recognize a McLaren Greater Lansing team member who has positively impacted your hospital visit, you can nominate them by visiting https://www.mclaren.org/lansing/bee-award-mclaren-greater-lansing.