Environmental Services Manager Recognized by Adventist Hinsdale Hospital

Linda Bowman, manager of environmental services at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, received a pillar award in January for her commitment and dedication. Bowman is pictured with with Alan Schneider, Adventist Hinsdale Hospital vice president and chief patient services officer.

As a seasoned veteran of the professional cleaning industry, Linda Bowman brought years of experience to her job as group leader in environmental services when she came to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital in 2002. But her prior work was for shopping malls and office buildings. When she began her job at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, it was the first time she worked in healthcare environmental services. She found the change significant.

"Cleaning for patients is more satisfying, more important," said Bowman, a resident of Lemont. "Its more fulfilling to work at a hospital. Plus, I have a personal connection here. My son was born here 26 years ago. At that time, I never dreamed Id be working here someday. Then my 10-month-old grandson Michael was born here. Adventist Hinsdale Hospital is really my hospital."

Skilled in management and customer service savvy, Bowman was quickly promoted from group leader to supervisor. She was promoted to the hospitals environmental services manager and hazardous materials officer in 2006. Her responsibilities include grounds and linens. From her first days at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, Bowman has been active in staff development initiatives that have resulted in improved productivity and quality. She works closely with nurse managers to ensure the best environment for patient care.

For her commitment to Adventist Midwest Healths mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ, Bowman was one of five Adventist Midwest Health leaders to receive the organizations pillar award at the quarterly leadership development institute in January.

"Linda knows that professional cleaning products and equipment are only as effective as the people who use them," says Alan Schneider, Adventist Hinsdale Hospital vice president and chief patient services officer. "For that reason she invests heavily in staff engagement and development. She uses a comprehensive approach to new employee orientation that combines classroom and hands-on training. Members of her team are frequently recognized as outstanding employees."

In fact, one of Bowmans staff members was Adventist Hinsdale Hospitals 2008 Employee of the Year.

Bowmans dedication to the hospital, to patient care and to her staff was apparent when she volunteered to stay overnight during the Feb. 2 blizzard that made many roads impassable. Bowman began work the day before the storm at 6:30 a.m. and left at 5 p.m. the next day.

"If I left, I wouldnt be able to get back, and I wanted to make sure that everybody was OK," Bowman said. "I asked my evening staff to stay. I was in charge of assigning beds to employees and distributing food and linens. I found some employees who were willing to shovel and help with the detailed work of snow removal. I slept maybe two hours that night."

One of the practices that Bowman brought with her to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital is internal rounding.

"When I started here, I introduced myself to the nurse managers," Bowman said. "I round every month. I go to the nurse managers before we clean an area to make sure I know what they want, and what their needs are. Then after the work is done, I go back and talk to them again to make sure the job was done right. I always ask for their feedback."

One of Bowmans current challenges is developing a staffing plan for the hospitals new 104,000-square-foot patient pavilion scheduled to open in early 2012.

"We have to determine if we can maintain the new area with the staff we have now and keep the same high standards," Bowman said.

Bowman said she was "surprised and thrilled" to receive the award, and she quickly gave credit to her supervisor, Jim Today, administrative director of facilities at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.

"Jim is an inspiration," she says. "Hes very understanding and he really knows what goes into the kind of work we do here."

In addition to her son, Matthew, Bowman and her husband, Steve, have a daughter, Stephanie, who also works at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.

Adventist Midwest Health includes Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital.