Summerville, Other Trident Facilities Embrace “My Mommy Works Here” Campaign
The Trident Health System has zero tolerance for workplace violence, a no-nonsense director of security with law enforcement credentials, and a clear message to employees that any type of abuse is not part of the job. Recently, they’ve added a kinder and gentler tool to the toolbox: a communications campaign called “My Mommy Works Here.”
New signs featuring irresistibly cute children remind patients and visitors that every hospital employee is someone’s much-loved family member or friend. The signs were recently installed at all public entrances to the Summerville Medical Center and in coming months will be incorporated at sister facility Trident Medical Center and freestanding ERs Brighton Park Emergency, Centre Point Emergency, James Island Emergency, and Moncks Corner Medical Center. Roger Heaton, Trident’s director of security, says “I think they’re great!
“First, they’re highly visible with colors, fonts and photography that grab people’s attention. Second, they’re readable. There’s a tendency to put too much on a sign, and people aren’t going to stop and read as they’re walking through the door. These signs capture attention and then say what we want to say quickly and clearly,” he said. “And they do it in a nice way. I often see signs that have scary language about prosecution and penalties, which might make people wonder what kind of facility they’re about to enter.”
The signs complement a robust system for reducing and addressing incidents of workplace violence, Heaton said. He helps promote the health system’s zero-tolerance policies, provides regular orientation presentations for new employees, and will walk a staff member step-by-step through the process of filing charges if needed.
“We respect what they do every day on behalf of the system and the patients. We will do everything we can to make them safer, and also to make them feel safer,” he said.
Kelly Bowen, Summerville’s director of public relations and communications, learned of the campaign through colleagues at the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA), which offers hospitals free resources such as posters, policy templates and social media content aimed at encouraging respectful behavior in their facilities.
“Supporting the healthcare workforce is one of SCHA’s highest priorities, and one way we’re responding is by expanding our Zero Harm initiative to help stem the rising tide of workplace violence,” said Schipp Ames. “Our efforts include legislative advocacy, a statewide data collection and analysis platform, and the communications campaign. We’re doing all we can to ensure that our hospitals remain sanctuaries of healing and compassion.”
SCHA’s communications team developed the campaign in conjunction with Solvent Brandworks, a healthcare marketing group founded by SCHA. The materials, which can be customized with hospital branding and messaging, are available on SCHA’s Zero Harm website.