Last Thursday Governor Robert Bentley awarded $30,000 to the East Alabama Medical Center, and the money is going to waste -- the removal of waste.
EAMC received the award to further its lean training program.
Lean training is a process used to help company employees manage time and eliminate tasks that hold back employee progress.
"We've been on a lean journey, and that is identifying and removing waste in your everyday activities," said Genia Odom, director of process of management. "We've been on a journey for the last two years, and we just decided we needed to further kind of incorporate that lean training into the organization."
While employees from any department can apply, only 45 employees will receive the training.
"So, really just looking over the entire organization and really focusing on what are those big departments, what are those big areas and how can we train and get people knowledgeable in those areas and look at waste," Odom said.
All senior leaders and executive team members have received the training, Odom said, and the goal for the grant is to help other staff and employees get the same training.
"Workers who expand their skills not only increase their earning potential, they also strengthen their workplaces," Bentley said. "I am pleased to help these employees learn new techniques that will expand their opportunities for career and advancement."
The employees will begin two classes, which consists of a simple overview of lean training.
This leads to a 5-day certificate process that offers a more in-depth look at the training.
"We also have some coaching days, and that is where we partner with Auburn technical assistant center because that's who we partner with with the lean training," Odom said. "They come to us, and they help us and train us."
The main components of the training program are taught through the acronym D.O.W.N.T.I.M.E., which stands for defector errors, overproduction, waiting, not utilizing people, transportation, inventory, motion and extra processing.
The first time the employees of EAMC heard of training program was two or three years ago after C.E.O. Terry Andrus went to a meeting. Eight individuals from EAMC then went to Seattle to learn more about the lean journey.
The process of receiving the grant began with filling out a basic application form. A few months later, EAMC was awarded the grant.
Odom said they were excited when they heard the news of the award.
"We have kind of been on this journey for about two or three years, and we have already participated with the ATAC, in rolling out two of the five day trainings this far," Odom said.
Jay Walters, the hospital's process management analyst, is one of the employees receiving the lean training in the upcoming months.
"This lean training will equip many of the employees within EAMC with tools that allow us to, not simply improve one or two things within our hospital and other facilities of care, but continue to create a culture of continuous improvement," Walters said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
