October 2010 Employee of the Month

Charles Strawser’s genuine interest in caring for his patients and his positive interactions with coworkers led to his selection as the October Employee of the Month.

A patient care technician (PCT) in the ICU Department since April 2006, Charles recently completed the nursing program at Edison Community College.

As a PTC, he provides basic personal care needs to patients; helps with transfers; and performs finger stick blood sugars and draws blood or other specimens for lab work, among other tasks.

“Charles is a strong Caring Plus advocate. He’s like a duck on water – calm topside even when he may be going a mile a minute under water,” said those in the Physical Therapy Department who nominated him for the award.

Charles said he finds genuine pleasure in helping others.

“I really get a bit of a high when I am told I helped make someone feel more comfortable, whether it was by taking time to give someone a shampoo or shave, listening to their concerns or just being there during their hardship,” he said.

Charles said he inherited a lot of his caring personality from his mother, Linda Strawser, who has been with UVMC for more than 30 years.

He said he believes UVMC has “the best staff around in every department. There have also been several nurses who have taken me under their wing, and they have been the best mentors.”

When not at work, Charles said he is a “dabbler by nature” with interests such as working on computers and cars, playing guitar and participating in the Tipp City Tintinnabulations handbell choir.  He also likes watching the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Browns and OSU football. He and his wife have a four-year-old son.

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