Ronnie Oakes

Director, Support Services

University Community Hospital – Carrollwood

Tampa

I would like to nominate Ronnie Oakes, Director of Support Services at University Community Hospital – Carrollwood, for the Hospital Heroes Award.  I can’t begin to describe the impact he has had on our workforce, our facility, and our community.  Mr. Oakes has been an employee at University Community Hospital – Carrollwood for 43 years and is the longest serving employee of the facility.  He even began working at the hospital site before the hospital itself was built, first as a lawn services worker for the physician group that founded the hospital in 1964, and later as a member of the construction crew that built the original facility.  After the hospital’s opening, he continued as a staff maintenance specialist and has progressed to become the director of the department, a position he has held since March 11, 2001.  Three corporations have owned the facility in the time he has been an employee, but Ronnie has remained as a pillar of service and commitment to his fellow employees and to the patients of our community throughout these myriad changes.

In a world where many would rather complain about how difficult things are, Ronnie delights in all the positive things that have come about as a result of change.  In times where anxiety and uncertainty reign supreme, he brings stability and steadfastness in all he does.  While some choose to be burdened by petty issues, he takes pleasure in the accomplishment of others and enjoys being part of their success.

Throughout his career, Ronnie has used his imagination and his penchant for serving others to become a champion for creating a healing environment.  He built a unique and lush courtyard at our facility; one with a comforting and palliative ambiance due to the tropical flowers and waterfall.  He was also instrumental in the design of our patient rooms so that most rooms would have a view of the large oak trees and sounds of the falling water.  Patients and family continually comment how comfortable it is to be able to walk in a courtyard’s natural setting, to be able to relax, and to feel the peace and tranquility that the atmosphere provides.  It is also a popular spot to hold employee barbeques and events to promote staff morale.  Ronnie himself is an employee advocate, and is currently demonstrating that by serving as the elected President of the multi-campus Employee’s Activities Committee at University Community Hospital.

Ronnie’s dedication and loyalty are unquestionable.  Even in the midst of change, he is still excited about the future.  He received the hospital’s first Leadership Award granted to an outstanding department-level leader in 1996, and was thereafter deemed “Mr. Carrollwood.”

Ronnie has executed and overseen many additions to this facility over the last 40 years.  Cathy Conover, RN, Nurse Leader, commented on how he listened and worked with her and the staff to create a post-surgical care unit that met the healing feeling the patients were looking for and the functionality required by the staff.  According to Cathy, “He always takes time to listen and then he acts accordingly.  He is our finest example of customer service, both within the facility and in the community.”

In 2005, Ronnie was given the President’s Award at the annual organizational leadership meeting.  Don Evans, CEO at the time, noted that “Ronnie exemplifies what being a gentleman means.  He is good-natured and will go out of his way to make sure you are okay.  He puts everyone before himself.”  His administrative assistant remarks that Ronnie is always there for the staff, and he only looks on the bright side.  His sense of humor is uncanny and his smile lights up the worst days.

I have personally worked closely with Ronnie for the past 12 months and have seen how he has served as a resource and mentor to facility managers in our system’s other hospitals in disaster preparedness, as an interface with AHCA’s Plans and Construction office, and in general leadership development and customer services.  The respect he has gained in our community goes well beyond the four walls of our institution.

His 43 years of wisdom and maturity as a hospital employee are matched only by his good nature, his enthusiasm, and his generosity.  He represents the spirit of our employees, serves as a sterling example to our other department leaders, and has truly been involved ever step of the way in creating what is arguably the finest niche hospital facility in the State of Florida.

Calvin Glidewell, CEO,

University Community Hospital – Carrollwood

(currently CEO, Imperial Point Medical Center, Ft. Lauderdale)