October Employee of the Month loves making connections at Boone
“I love people,” Cheryl Johnson says. “I love meeting people. I love working with people.”
Cheryl is definitely in the right place — as a telecommunications operator, she works with and assists internal and external callers and may talk to hundreds of people a day.
“I work with patients, doctors, floor staff, my staff and visitors. I connect with a lot of people.”
Many times, people recognize Cheryl’s voice before putting a face to the name.
“When I have an opportunity to get out of the office, I’ll see someone’s name on their badge and say ‘Oh, that’s you!’ And they’ll say, ‘Hey, I know your voice!’”
Not only does she enjoy the opportunity to connect with and assist people, she also likes the stimulation of working in an active area like the switchboard.
“There’s always something new to learn. I like challenges and that’s good, because we’re always learning. You’ll never get to where you know it all – and I like that.”
Cheryl was born and raised in Kansas City and had lived in Louisiana for a while before coming to Columbia. She had her daughter at Boone Hospital Center and was impressed by the care she and her child received. After providing as a day care provider in her home for several years, Cheryl knew she wanted a job that would get her out of the house and let her connect with more people, and she decided Boone Hospital was the perfect place.
She joined the Boone team in 2000, working part-time in food services, before taking a position as a switchboard operator. After a few years of working in other areas of the hospital, including radiology, central service and environmental services, Cheryl was asked if she’d like to return to telecomm. She enjoyed experiencing other areas of the hospital and getting to know the people who worked there – “It was all Boone, it was all about promoting excellent service, no matter what department I was in,” she says.
When she’s not at work, Cheryl loves volunteering for the City of Columbia, AARP tax services, and at Boone Hospital Center community events. “I love the Baby Expo. I try to volunteer for it every year.”
She also volunteers for her church and those closest to her. She helps out in her church’s child care facility and promotes events for the restaurant owned by another family in her church.
“My church family has been very supportive, and I’m thankful for them,” Cheryl says. “They keep me encouraged and motivated. When I found out about this recognition, I ran to them and was like, ‘Guess what? Boone Hospital made me Employee of the Month!’”
She also enjoys playing tennis and traveling, including visiting her family in Atlanta.
Cheryl says her positive attitude helps her in life and in providing excellent service to Boone Hospital Center’s patients, visitors, physicians and staff.
“I try to be self-motivated, and I want to enjoy life,” she says. We have things every day that come up, but you have to stay positive. We’re surrounded by so much negativity, but focusing on the positive keeps you moving forward.”
Congratulations, Cheryl!