IDCRC Spotlight: Team Support at the Emory Children’s Center
At the Emory Children’s Center, IDCRC research thrives on teamwork. We recognize that our best work is the result of acknowledging that the whole is greater than our individual parts.
The collegial dynamics of our diverse group include Investigators (MDs, NPs, PAs) research nurses, coordinators, lab staff, data input/analysts, recruiters, regulatory, financial, and administrative professionals. We are Team-bonded thanks to our Social Committee that was formed about seven years ago. This group creates both thoughtful events for celebration and provides frequent opportunities for the team to come together several times per month.
Their volunteer members ensured that we survived the hectic COVID-19 vaccine trials and continued our team-focused spirit during the current uncertain research landscape. Internal funding is set aside to support monthly events, and the volunteer committee members are budget-conscious in their planning. Ensuring that all our team members feel valued, supported, included, and celebrated is a cornerstone of our Social Committee’s work.
We host a monthly birthday breakfast and special events throughout the year, including holiday celebrations, Winter Sneaky Snowman, White Elephant gifting, SOUPer Bowl competition, and March Madness.
We celebrate National Doctors' Day, International Nurses Day, Research Day, Data Team Day, and Administrative Professionals' Day. We recognize big life events: new babies, graduations, staff departures, and retirements. The committee arranges two to three larger events each year and obtains reduced ticket prices for things like bowling and sporting events. They meet weekly to plan and assess the current needs of our team spirit. They maintain a hallway team photo collage and a whiteboard for inspirational quotes, reminders, and messages. The volunteers change over time, but the Social Committee's Mission remains.
With minimal funding but boundless creativity, our Social Committee fosters engagement, ensuring we never lose sight of what makes us strong, teamwork. Together we are the ECC Vaccine Research Team: exceptional, diverse, and accomplished. And we have the results to prove it!