By Becky Rauen, senior vice president and chief human resources officer
Every Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) employee receives something we call “The employee card.” In addition to highlighting PHS’ mission, motto and values, the card includes this Employee Promise:
Employees are the most important resource in our ministry. We are committed to an environment where employees are valued and empowered to make a difference.
This promise is more than words. It is a commitment we make to those within our organization and to those outside it that we enable and trust our employees to provide warm, difference-making Christian care to residents and clients … and to each other.
I recently had the opportunity to preview a story that will be appearing in our 2023 Annual Report. The story tells of three adult daughters who settled their mom AND their aunt into memory care apartments at one of our campuses.
The oldest daughter later said, “The lovely facility is great, but for us, it is all about the employees we’ve met, and the way they are treating those two women who are so important in our lives. We know we can’t do that care.”
The daughter continued, “Knowing that our aunt and our mom are treated as family members, with total respect and love … that, for us, defines the value of your work.”
I can think of no higher compliment and no better example of our Employee Promise come-to-life. It illustrates the very heart of our ministry.
This ministry goes beyond performing simple “to-do lists.” It involves employees bringing the best of themselves into every interaction with others and into every detail of their work. Job descriptions alone cannot inspire difference-making service.
Employees of PHS are relied upon to serve with compassion, do the right thing, meet resident needs in a personalized way, continually innovate and work as a team.
I am continually inspired by the employees of PHS! They live out the values of PHS in their daily work and do so with cheer and with passion. At times, this is far from easy. At times, even their best efforts go unnoticed or unappreciated.
PHS is a large, complex senior living organization. It would be easy enough to substitute “robotic checklists” for “above-and-beyond effort” and call it “good.” We don’t take that approach.
We value and trust our employees to provide care and deliver value where they can – even when it is the more difficult path. It’s the right thing to do. It’s the human thing to do.
In empowering PHS employees to make a difference, we believe we are truly honoring God by enriching the lives and touching the hearts of older adults – and their families.
Thank you, PHS family, for the good work you do.
Want to know more about employment with PHS? Visit: preshomes.org/careers
Becky Rauen joined PHS in September 2023. She brings 25 years of experience in leading human resources in complex health care environments. She also currently serves as president of the board of directors for the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration. Becky says, “One of the main reasons I chose PHS is because of the organization’s focus on Christian culture and the centrality of the employee experience to the mission of PHS.”
