Company: King's Daughters Medical Center
Company Division/Group: Human Resources
Company Description: King's Daughters Medical Center began in 1898 above a small, community drug store. Since then KDMC has grown to become a 385 bed, not-for-profit community hospital serving eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and western West Virginia. Under the leadership of President and CEO Fred Jackson, KDMC employs 4,000+ team members and is the area's largest employer.
Nomination Category: Human Resources Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Human Resources Department of the Year

Nomination Title: KDMC Human Resources Department

Tell the story about what this nominated organization/department achieved since January 1 2012 (up to 525 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

KDMC is a customer-driven organization where all Team Members go by first name with no titles on name badges.

HR coordinates many programs and celebrations.  Their most innovative approaches include:

A “Tacklebox” recognition program empowers supervisors with a fishing tacklebox full of gift certificates and awards for immediate recognition of Team Members who exceed performance expectations. 

The KDMC Team Member Discount Guide provides savings at over 250 local businesses.

HR hosts the CEO’s “Food for Thought”- lunchtime feedback sessions with randomly selected Team Members.

HR's “Traveling Office” visits the over 50 off campus sites as well as evening and midnight shifts.

HR’s Wellness Program offers Wellness Challenges, no cost diabetes program, indoor/outdoor walking trails, volleyball and softball tournaments, free health screenings, cooking classes, group fitness classes, a custom wellness website and subsidized fitness center memberships.

KDMC supports military reservists by making up the difference between active military pay and the Team Member’s base pay and continued benefits.

HR recognizes those who have served our Country every Veteran’s Day and actively recruits veterans.  KDMC is partnered with local and national veteran programs to hire veterans, with further focus on disabled veterans.  A digital “Wall of Honor” at the main entrance depicts pictures and details of those who have served.

Two day NCAA March Madness celebration rewards all shifts by presenting college basketball tournament games on a 15’ screen and providing full concessions and giveaways.  The dress code is relaxed to allow Team Members to wear their favorite team’s logo-wear.

A catered service recognition is held annually to recognize Team Members.  A gold pin and gift is presented by the CEO and Board Chairman.

HR hosts “Santa Day” where Santa visits, with free, on-demand, framed professional photos.  While children wait for Santa, there are cookies, holiday treats and craft stations staffed by HR Team Members.

Free holiday meals in the café are served by HR and other leaders during all shifts.  Team Members who work holidays may also invite their families for a free holiday meal together.

KDMC offers “Stork Parking” for Team Members in their third trimester of pregnancy.  Also available are car-pool systems and shuttle service.There are many work-friendly, on-site conveniences:  restaurants, a bank, a bakery, chapel, uniform shop, pharmacy, retirement advisors, take home dinners and more.

The on-site Child Development Center allows parents (and grandparents) the flexibility of childcare, and offers “Parents’ Night Out” child care.

The adoption assistance plan reimburses up to $7,000; $9,000 for special needs children.  There is also reimbursement for invitro fertility and surrogacy.

The Team Incentive Award rewards a bonus for meeting organizational goals with up to 2.5% of gross wages.

HR supports Patient and Family Centered Care by aligning new hires, developing job competency standards, and measuring success - all to ensure that Team Members and patient families are working together, as partners in care.

HR has certified Process Innovation Leaders who, using LEAN and Six Sigma methodology, lead and serve projects to streamline processes, generate quality improvements and create a change-driven culture throughout the Medical Center.

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Provide a brief (up to 125 words) biography about the leader(s) of the nominated organization/department:

Larry Higgins
Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer

Larry Higgins serves the Human Resources Team at King’s Daughters Health System.  A native of Sandusky, Ohio, he holds a master’s degree in Organizational Development from Bowling Green State University.
Larry’s leadership philosophy revolves around building an organizational team that promotes respect, loyalty and empowerment.  He is convinced that the cultural transformation to Team KDHS is what is moving a very good organization to a great organization.  Larry leads by example - he has exceedingly high standards, yet shows courtesy and respect to everyone he encounters on a daily basis.