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        I feel truly blessed to have a job that I love.  Each day I interact with customers and coworkers in a positive and fulfilling way. We have fun together and laugh throughout the day.  My employers respect my skills and my professional opinion.  We care about each other as a closely-knit family would.  Our accomplishments are recognized and appreciated.  Most of all, each day at work is like a party.  We take time to laugh and share with each other as well as our customers.  Sometimes, we have to “settle down” because the laughing and joking with each other and our customers is too loud and rambunctious.  There are often parties at lunchtime to celebrate one of the accomplishments of a member of our “family.”  I rarely leave work without a smile on my face.

        Sounds like a great job, doesn’t it?  The pay is excellent as well as the benefits.  Would you like to join our family?  The employee turnover is very low, because employees are just happy to be here.  There is one catch, though.  I give chemotherapy in an outpatient infusion room.  My customers have been told that they have the ”C” word, cancer.  They are often fatigued, nauseous, and just plain scared.  Our services are often their last shot at life.  I deal with death and dying on a daily basis.  Though many of the patients go on to live long and happy lives, there are just as many who don’t.  One statement that I have heard many times from both patients and their families is that the people at our clinic made a horrible experience easier, almost enjoyable because of the happy attitudes and environment.

        Tyler Hematology Oncology has always had a philosophy of maintaining employee happiness since its establishment.   By maintaining a pleasant working atmosphere, the practice’s intent is a to retain their employees for a very long time.  The type of service that is provided can be strain on the employees both mentally and emotionally.  Positive attitudes and morale are essential in order to provide the highest quality cancer care.  Dr. Robert Droder, one of the managing partners states, ”This can be a very high-stress work environment.  It’s important to have an outlet to blow off some stem.  Good attitudes are important for patient contact.  We value our employees and do our best to retain them.” The managing physicians use several approaches to assure that this is the case.

        Employees are recognized for their achievements both professionally and academically.  One example is that the practice will often provide a nice lunch and a cake in recognition of achievements such as earning the OCN or advanced certification in oncology nursing.  There are similar parties on an employee’s five or ten year anniversary with the company.  One of the physicians will stand up at the luncheon and sing the praises of the person being honored.  In addition, they often reward the person with a cash bonus.  Also, employee certificates such as the OCN are framed and on display for both employees and patients to see. 

        The company is known for having parties for the employees.  Of course, there is the company Christmas party to which every one looks forward.  There is also the “Fall Trip.”  The practice rents buses and everyone goes on a trip that is paid for by the company with one guest included per person.  An example of one of these outings was a trip to see a Rolling Stones concert.  Other trips were to a Renaissance Festival, dinner and a play, and to a “dude ranch.”  During the summer, there is the “Lake Party.”  One of the physicians provides her lake house for the day.  Lunch and drinks are provided.  The company rents jet skis for the employees and anyone with a boat brings it along for water skiing.

        There are other ways that Tyler Hematology Oncology makes their employees feel like one big family.  There are volumes of company photo albums that anyone can look through.  They contain photos of the employees and their families at various company events.  There is also the THO cookbook to which everyone contributed.  Everyone brought a few favorite family recipes, which were complied into a cookbook.  One of the physicians is known for having trouble boiling water.  Her recipe page reads “Call 1-800-BALDUCCI!”  (Balducci’s is gourmet food company that ships food to your door.)    This brought a lot of laughs.

        Employees are also encouraged to continue their professional growth.  The company pays for continuing education for all employees.  This includes conferences across the country.  There is also a tuition reimbursement program for all employees who return to school to further their education.  In fact, the company is helping me pay my tuition for my Master’s degree at this time.  This is a benefit for which I am greatly appreciative.  The company has always been flexible in allowing employees to attend class, even when it interferes with the work schedule.  Though there is no requirement to continue working for the company after the schooling is completed, the intent is that employees will be so happy working for this company that they won’t want to leave. 

        The company is also involved in the personal lives of the employees, though not in an intrusive way.  If any employee gets married or has a baby, the company has a shower for that person with food, cake, and lots of gifts.  If there is an illness, the employees and employers are always there for support and flowers, of course.  Two of these physicians have had cancer in the nearly five years that I have been employed there.  Before each of them started treatment, there was a big party to wish them luck and offer support.  At one of the parties, everyone wore hats and wigs because she was going to lose her due the cancer treatment. Sometimes, humor is the best medicine.

        There are times when everyone is not all smiles.  We develop relationships with our patients.  When we lose one our patients to cancer, we support each other with hugs and tears and prayers.  Each of us realizes that this is the risk we take when we work in this field.  However, there are few rewards in life that are without risk.  This is a truly rewarding job that is worth all of the risks.

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