Mutual admiration and respect. A willingness to pitch in. Teamwork.

These aren’t just buzzwords: For teams throughout VITAS, this is the norm. The home medical equipment (HME) team in Cincinnati, Ohio, is no exception.

“I’ve got a phenomenal team here,” says HME Manager Susan Reffner Bettinger. “It’s not just something on the back of our badge. We truly do take care of each other at VITAS.”

HME teams at VITAS play a critical role in getting patients the equipment they need in a timely manner. Teamwork is essential to ensuring the process is seamless.

Celebrating Excellence

It’s inspiring to see coworkers supporting and celebrating each other. It’s not a competition—instead, everyone works together to help patients.

We truly do take care of each other at VITAS.-Susan Reffner Bettinger, HME manager

Susan commends Danny Thomas, HME lead medical service technician in Dayton, for the way he goes above and beyond for patients.

“Danny does a phenomenal job educating the families on our equipment,” says Susan. “He will assess and take a look around the home to see if there’s anything else that needs to be done.”

Danny is humble about this approach. “I try to communicate well with whoever I'm involved with, explain to them what I'm delivering,” he says. “I talk with them and make sure I’m accommodating everything they need.”

HME Warehouse Supervisor Chris Hughes also raves about Danny. “You couldn't get any better of a person than Danny if you tried,” Chris says. “When I got the job, my daughter was two years old. She made a card for Danny, probably seven years ago, that to this day, is still on his desk.”

When you hear statements like these, there’s no question that VITAS has succeeded in fostering a culture of appreciation among colleagues. No doubt, it has helped us become the leading provider of hospice care in the U.S.

Going the Extra Mile for Patients—and for Each Other

Throughout VITAS, teammates work with commitment and a can-do attitude to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

“My guys and I, we all have very high expectations of service,” Susan says. “They're looking for all the different possibilities of what's going to make this patient's end of life the best that it can be. They're all very dedicated to VITAS. They're dedicated to our patients, our programs, our families.”

That commitment trickles over into doing their best for their teammates, pitching in when needed.

“We've never, in 10 years, had a problem with anyone saying, ‘No, I don't want to help,’” says Chris. “There's always one or two people who step up. If that doesn't show what kind of family environment we’ve got going on here, I don't know what does.”

A Culture of Support

The people-focused culture for which VITAS is known manifests itself in myriad ways, including:

• Authentic, present, approachable leaders who genuinely care
• Possibilities for career growth
• Competitive benefits that support work-life balance

Perhaps most unique is our Employee Recognition Program. Using an online submission form, employees can recognize colleagues for exemplifying commitment, compassion, and a can-do attitude. It’s an inspiring program that cultivates a culture of gratitude.

No matter what your role at VITAS, your work directly or indirectly impacts the quality of care patients receive. There’s nothing more rewarding. And getting to do this work in a place where you are appreciated makes it all the more fulfilling.

On Employee Appreciation Day and every day, we want to say Thank you to each and every VITAS employee for being the difference in the VITAS Difference!