Yesterday, Tyrone Hospital along with employers across the country participated in “Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day ®”.
The Ms. Foundation for Women (www.ms.foundation.org) started this annual event to expand opportunities for girls and boys by working with employers to encourage adults to share a day of their work lives with America’s children.
“Tyrone Hospital participates because it is an educational opportunity for local youths and another way we open our hospital to the community. Each year we seem to have one or more employees who have children who are at an age where they are interested in participating,” said Theresa Yanchetz, Director of Marketing at Tyrone Hospital.
In 1993, the Ms. Foundation launched this ambitious program and asked Americans to take their daughters to work, helping America’s young women become more visible, valued and heard in society. This project for young girls was sparked by a Harvard University study showing that girls start out confident and powerful, only to see their self esteem begin to plummet by age 12. Now, both boys and girls participate and learn how work, family and community life intersect.
Lindsay Emigh, who is twelve-years-old and in the 6th grade at the Tyrone Middle School spent the day at Tyrone Hospital with her mother Tammy Emigh, Director of Quality Improvement. Lindsay had an opportunity to not only observe her mother at work but also assisted with projects in other areas of the hospital. She helped with clerical tasks in marketing, human resources and the medical staff office. She observed a business meeting, “that was boring” said Lindsay. She was also interviewed and photographed for a news article. In addition, she met staff in accounting, and members of the hospital’s executive staff. She had to sign a confidentiality agreement, like all hospital employees, volunteers, and students at Tyrone Hospital.
“That is because information about the patients is very private,” Lindsay explained. She also observed her mother responding to a patient request.
Why was Lindsay interested in going to work with her mom? “I wanted to see what my mom does at work and learn what happens inside a hospital. I learned there is more that goes on than just what doctors and nurses do,” said Lindsay.
Regarding bringing her daughter to work, Tammy Emigh said, “I thought it would be a positive experience for my daughter to see what I do at work.” Mrs. Emigh said the day was an opportunity for Lindsay to learn more about healthcare careers, something that the two of them have already been talking about.
What was the best part the day? Lindsay said, “Mostly just spending time with my mom.”
