One for all and all for one! Care associates celebrate teamwork

This year’s Care Associate Week theme, “Trust in the Team,” was on display at a Nov. 18 celebration that packed the 55 Park St. Auditorium. The week honors Yale New Haven Hospital care associates (clinical technicians, emergency department technical associates and technicians, medical assistants, technical associates, milieu counselors, mental health workers, radiology care assistants and urology technicians).

Keynote speaker Celeste Milligan, PhD, director of Organizational Development and Learning for YNHHS’ Institute for Excellence, said that trust among care associates and other care team members “allows us to focus on our patients.” At the celebration, 81 care associates were recognized for advancing on the clinical ladder.

Aja Edwards, clinical technician, Surgery (SLA 2), received the Frances Grindell Scholarship, awarded annually to care associates pursuing nursing degrees. YNHH’s Patricia Roberts, Surgery (EP 6-5), and Hope Serra, medical assistant, Park Avenue Medical Center, Trumbull, each received the Care Associate Circle of Care Award for dedication to patients, commitment to peers and service to the community.