At Temple Health, providing the highest-quality care matters—but so does ensuring our patients feel comfortable, well-informed, and welcomed.
That starts with our Patient Access team members, who are some of the first Temple employees patients see on campus. They make invaluable contributions to patient communication, care management, and the overall patient experience, which we celebrate each year during Patient Access Week.
The theme of this year’s festivities, which took place from March 30 to April 5, was “Empowering Tomorrow: Reaching New Heights in Healthcare Access.” (There was a visual theme, too: polka dots!)
“By recognizing Patient Access Week, we’re not only celebrating our dedicated teams, but also raising awareness of the essential work we do every day,” says Gilda Chinnici, Senior Director of Patient Access. “Implementing recognition programs during this time uplifts our staff, boosts morale, and reinforces the value of our role in ensuring smooth and compassionate patient care. By taking this opportunity to thank our colleagues and support one another, we continue to demonstrate why Patient Access is the heartbeat of the patient journey.”
During Patient Access Week, team members usually go above and beyond to decorate their workplaces (and compete for the most elaborate décor, too!). This year, however, the department decided to channel its considerable energies into a giving campaign.
“As we began planning for Patient Access Week, Shaquan Caldwell, one of our Outpatient Interviewers, made a thoughtful suggestion: instead of decorating our areas, why not give back to the community?” Chinnici explains. “From there, Assistant Director of Patient Access Alexandra “Sandy” Correa took the lead and began making phone calls to organize our first Giving Back Campaign.”
“The ask was completely voluntary, and the response was incredible,” Chinnici continues. “We received an outpouring of donations for both TUH-Episcopal Campus’ Behavioral Health services and the TUH-Main Campus Neonatal ICU. This was a true testament to the heart and generosity of our team, and made Patient Access Week even more meaningful. We look forward to continuing this initiative for years to come.”
The Giving Back Campaign wasn’t the only Patient Access Week event, either: there was also a raffle, pizza parties, themed days (including Wear Red Day, Hawaiian Day, Superhero Day, and Temple Spirit Day), and our own version of an Oscars ceremony! Team members couldn’t have been more excited to join in—and, as Chinnici notes, to spend time with one another.
“What truly made this Patient Access Week stand out wasn’t just the celebrations or even the success of our Giving Back Campaign,” she says. “It was the camaraderie shared across our campuses and teams. Whether at Jeanes, Episcopal, Chestnut Hill, Main Campus, Northeastern, the Access Center, Temple Women & Families, or Fox Chase, Patient Access professionals came together not only to recognize our shared mission, but to connect, celebrate, and support each other.”
“In our fast-paced work environment, it’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day and forget to pause and say, ‘Thank you,’” Chinnici continues. “This week reminded us of the power of showing appreciation: not just for the patients we serve, but for each other. Coming together for a common cause, exchanging smiles, laughs, and stories: these small moments helped us remember why we do what we do. And that unity—that shared purpose—is what makes our team, and this profession, so exceptional.”