Specialty Surgical Center, a multi-specialty, two-OR ASC in Sparta, N.J., recently received the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce's Community Service of the Year Award. Bonnie Brady, RN, administrator of the ASC, discusses why the ASC is so active in helping its community and how such involvement helps the ASC as well.
Q: What does your ASC do for your community that contributed to your receiving the award from the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce?
Bonnie Brady: We have sponsored several open houses — one focused on prices of surgery and another on infection control. We showed the how to properly handwash. We also sponsored physician educational sessions for the public such as one on pediatric surgeries.
We donate supplies and money to local businesses, collect toys for kids at Christmas and donate turkeys and food to local self-help agencies. Several of our physicians volunteered in Haiti and we were the drop-off center for the county to collect supplies for Haiti. We are also members of our chamber of commerce, attend community functions and sponsor tables [at events].
Q: Why is community service important to Specialty Surgical Center?
BB: Community service is important because it gives us a chance to give back to the community. We get connected to local people [such] as patients and vendors. We get a chance to show off what we do best and gives staff a sense of pride.
Most importantly we use it as a vehicle to teach the community what an ASC is. We found that many people who took the tour here never knew what we were about or had a bad impression that we were unsafe so it's good for the ASC industry as a whole
Q. How does your involvement with your community help your ASC?
BB: Because of our involvement we have become better known in our community as a great place to work with a beautiful environment. We are swamped with resumes from people who want to work here. Our staff has developed a great sense of pride in who we are and what we do, so when it comes time to show the community our place, there is a real sense of teamwork as we prepare to show off a little bit. We have come to know our local bankers and legislators as we network during chamber dinners or breakfasts and they have come to visit our center too, giving them insight into our industry
Q. What are some of the community service events you are planning for 2011?
BB: We will still continue to attend community activities and support local businesses. We are planning to schedule more physician lectures for the community. We will invite community and legislators to another open house and possibly sponsor CPR classes this year for the community. We will continue to donate and make contributions to the needy.
Learn more about Specialty Surgical Center.
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