ROCHELLE — Rochelle Community Hospital celebrated National Hospital Week from May 13-17. 

Monday saw staff members wear gear of their favorite team and Florence Nightengale’s birthday was celebrated with free bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cakes for staff. Tuesday was department match day and staff was treated to free coffee from BattleAxe Coffee. Wednesday was wacky socks day and staff received a free lunch from RCH dietary. Thursday was tie dye day and there was a free popcorn bar for employees. Friday was RCH purple pride day and grand prize winners of $150 gift certificates from Headons Fine Meats, Shell and Bee Designs were announced. The week also included local gift card drawings for staff daily, a weeklong scavenger hunt, and an RCH yearbook wall.

RCH Marketing, Foundation & Organizational Development Manager Michelle LaPage said the week acted as a “spirit week” would at a high school.

“It's getting everyone to have a little bit of fun in their departments,” LaPage said. “Showing employees appreciation is something we try to do throughout the year. We have our Employer of Choice committee that works on that all year. We try to take May and focus on Hospital Week and do it up big for the whole week. I think it's important because it helps fight burnout and maybe makes the day a little less stressful for people and it's something fun to come in and look forward to. It gets people together and talking in their departments.”

LaPage said the week also works to make RCH employees comfortable, and said the hospital is still seeing some staffing issues due to the healthcare worker shortage that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“A lot of times employees say it feels like family when they come here to work,” LaPage said. “Everything we do around Hospital Week is geared towards that. On Wednesday, our cafeteria staff is providing lunch for the rest of the staff. That makes us feel guilty for our dietary staff. We set aside another day to spoil them with a meal. We want everyone to feel special and get to be a part of this week.”

With the stress that can sometimes be present in healthcare, LaPage said a short break for free food or a drink can be valuable in RCH’s workplace during Hospital Week. RCH departments act as a team during Hospital Week and the rest of the year. 

“Departments take pride in being a team for things like this and they get excited about it,” LaPage said. “We get their pictures and post them on social media. All kinds of other hospitals are celebrating it this week. I think us RCH being smaller makes weeks like this more beneficial for staff.”