The GEM (Going the Extra Mile) program gives employees, students and volunteers an opportunity to recognize each other for exemplary service and dedication performed in their roles at UTMB.
Launched in 2000, the GEM program reinforces the principles of UTMB’s Professionalism Charter and rewards employees for professional behavior in their daily activities in contributing to UTMB’s missions.
“From the start, employees have embraced this program because it is a simple and easy way for them to recognize their co-workers,” said Phaedra Goffney, senior administrative manager of Human Resources Talent and Organizational Development at UTMB. “And it gives the recognized employees something tangible to show for their extraordinary efforts, things they are doing every day to make this an even greater organization.”
It’s easy to award a GEM card to someone you see going above and beyond. Here’s how:
- When you see a co-worker, student or volunteer going the extra mile by helping a co-worker or visitor, award that person with a paper GEM card or an electronic GEM card (available at www.utmb.edu/gem/SendGEM)
- Once an employee, student or volunteer has accumulated three GEM cards (either the paper version or the e-version), they are eligible to be entered into the annual prize drawing. Employees, students or volunteers must be entered into the drawing by the following:
- Employees – Submit to immediate supervisor
- Students – Submit to Office of Student Life, Jamail Student Center, Room 2.110
- Volunteers – Submit to Volunteer Services, John Sealy Annex, Room 1.308
The drawing for UTMB-branded items will take place during Employee Service Day, which will be held on May 31 from noon to 1 p.m. in Levin Hall. From the list of those eligible for the drawing, 50 names will be selected for the prizes. All participants in the drawing will receive an invitation to UTMB’s annual Employee Service Day ceremony. This ceremony recognizes employees for achieving significant service milestones as well as our GEM card honorees. Participants do not need to be present at the ceremony to win an award.
Goffney said all supervisors and employees are encouraged to use the GEM program as a way to offer an acknowledgement of a job well done.
“We believe this program improves productivity and certainly increases morale,”
Goffney said. “This is a good example that something that seems relatively small can really have a lasting impact on someone.”
For more information about UTMB’s GEM program, visit www.utmb.edu/gem/.