“Contributing to the systematic improvement of health care delivery and the health of communities”; this is Cerner’s mission statement. For the past 25 years, Cerner Middle East’s associates have been seen as trusted partners to help our over 200 client facilities achieve success in health care delivery through the implementation of electronic health record systems. In this instance, I want to set aside the technology, tools, budgets, and project plans, and share with you how our associates take their passion and dedication to the “improvement of health care delivery and the health of communities” to a more personal level.
Born from an initiative in early 2014, a competition was held to define what was important to our associates both in their workplace and communities. CHIPP which stands for Community, Happiness, Integrity, Passion and Proactive, are words that stood out to the associates and remind us all of the values we believe are important each and every day. In bringing these values from the wall to the halls, we saw these words come to life through CME’s most recent participation in the 2016 Box Appeal Campaign. The Box Appeal is a charity initiative run by Radisson Blu and Park Inn Hotels in the UAE, Bahrain, Beirut, Muscat and Cairo and the Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai. This year, on the heels of Eid Al Adha, and in the spirit of giving back to the local community within which our multinational CME family calls home, associates embraced the opportunity to fill shoe boxes with much needed supplies, which will soon be distributed to those in most need the first week of November.
Focused on helping as many individuals as possible, and seeing their dirham stretch, associates got creative in how they filled the shoe boxes. Whether they took on the initiative in filling a box individually with their children and families at home, or pooling their money together and collectively filling the boxes, CME associates rose to the challenge and exemplified the essence of CHIPP. Filling more than 125 boxes, with an estimated value of more than 12,000AED, including items such as anti-bacterial soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, associates were able to give back to help one individual’s health (multiplied by 125), which greatly contributes to the overall health of communities within which we work and live. Initiatives such as The Box Appeal, whether a part of an organization’s larger CSR program, or simply of interest to individuals on a personal level, are instrumental in showing that even small gestures make a big difference.
Everyone has their own reason for giving back. Throughout my 12-year global career in healthcare, I’ve had the great fortune to work with individuals who personify what it means to care and give back. At Cerner Middle East, there are no shortage of associates who inspire, and are inspired by, the continuous generosity towards others, whether locally, regionally, or globally.
