DKH Safety Manager Recognized for 13 Years of Level-Headed, Thoughtful Problem-Solving and Friendly, Welcoming Demeanor

Robert Andrews of Pomfret Named DKH Employee of the Month

Robert “Bob” Andrews of Pomfret has been selected as Employee of the Month at Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) for August, 2015 by his peers. At a gathering at Day Kimball Hospital to honor his achievement on August 25, it was clear that the recognition came as no surprise to any of the staff who has worked with him since he joined the DKH team 13 years ago. Andrews is widely known among his coworkers as being friendly, level-headed, thoughtful and a problem-solver – an excellent set of characteristics for his role as safety manager for Day Kimball Hospital.

As safety manager, Andrews is responsible for the overall safety of the hospital facility, including emergency preparedness, hazardous materials management and the establishment and coordination of policies, procedures and programs to ensure the safety of the hospital environment.

Andrews became safety manager at the hospital in February of this year, just before the biggest blizzard of the season hit. “He just immediately took the reins,” recalls DKH Director of Facilities Management Greg Harubin. “What a way to start a new position, but Bob manned the command center and kept things organized and running well.”

Prior to taking on the role of safety manager, Andrews served as assistant director of the Facilities Management department and also briefly as director of the Housekeeping department.

“During the time that Bob served as assistant director in facilities, he applied great drive and steadiness, great analytical and research skills to tackle some of the most difficult technical projects we’ve had here,” said Harubin. “You see Bob and he’s the strong silent type, a behind the scenes kind of guy, but there’s a lot going on with him, he works on pretty difficult projects for us.”

That sentiment was echoed by Robert Smanik, DKH president and CEO, when he presented Bob with the Employee of the Month award.

“Bob is an individual who takes a very steady approach. He’s always very welcoming, very receptive to any of us no matter what the question may be that is asked, and he’s very thoughtful,” Smanik said. “He’s always willing to be presented with a new challenge. On multiple fronts, Bob represents the kinds of characteristics and interaction that we know and hold dear as the standard for Day Kimball.”

Smanik also made a point to recognize not only the contributions that Andrews has made to Day Kimball Healthcare but out in the community as well, pointing out his support of local youth through involvement with Boy Scout troops. In 2005 he and his wife were co-recipients of the annual Citizenship Award from NECASA (Northeast Communities Against Substance Abuse) for their work with youth in the community.

Andrews is also undeniably a proud father and family man, and involvement in DKH and the Northeast Connecticut community is also a family affair. His wife Lisa and three of his four children were in attendance to see him receive his award, along with both his parents, his sister and his brother-in-law.

He proudly introduced each and shared how he came to be a licensed pilot thanks to his father, Bob Sr., who had him around planes since Andrews was three years old. He recognized his parents for their dedication to the community and to DKH in taking it upon themselves to collect “I Am New Day” pledges last spring in order to appeal to legislators for more state funding for the hospital. And he recognized the efforts of his wife Lisa, who is owner of Artique – a Paint Bar in Putnam, for volunteering to help DKH employees create four murals of Northeast Connecticut landmarks in the hospital this summer.

Many of his coworkers commented that Andrews is a proud member of the DKH family as well, having formed loyal friendships across the organization and a staunch support of the work that is done. Andrews shared with coworkers at his celebration how his 13 years working at DKH and with Harubin, who is his supervisor, certainly started off on the right foot.

“I can remember when I came in to interview with Greg 13 years ago,” he said. “The interview started at 5 p.m. and we got to talking, and at about 9:30, 9:45 Greg said ‘Oh, I gotta cut this short!’.”

That kind of rapport remains to this day between Andrews and Harubin, and the rest of the staff at DKH.

“He is respected and appreciated at Day Kimball because everything he does he approaches in a calm, analytical, professional, open-minded way,” Harubin said. “His decisions and actions have gained him the respect he deserves. Oh, and he has the world’s best listening skills.” And given the story of his four-hour interview, most would probably agree.