Delroy Campbell, Harlem Hospital

Cool, Calm and Collected

In an area where patients occasionally become anxious, Delroy Campbell’s most important work often extends beyond his daily duties as a Clerical Associate as he is frequently called upon to assist nursing staff and provide soothing support to psychiatric patients.

Delroy is the only clerk on the 52-bed inpatient psychiatric unit and also supports the hospital’s Alcohol Detox center on another floor. His main tasks involve timely recordkeeping, including verifying medical histories and treatment plans for patients. But at times, getting through those daily duties can be a challenge.

“Sometimes my routine work is interrupted when a patient needs assistance,” said the 16-year Harlem Hospital Center veteran. “Often all they need and want is a sympathetic ear. By listening I can help resolve a potentially difficult situation.”

Hospital colleagues say that Campbell’s constant vigilance and attention to detail when updating complex medical histories and psychosocial forms played an important role when the hospital received its most recent seal of approval from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the national organization that ensures health care organizations meet quality and safety accreditation requirements.

“Mr. Campbell is calm, patient and sensitive, which are all essential qualities for working in the psychiatry field,” said Barbara Lawrence, Principal Administrative Associate. "He's very popular throughout the hospital and would be welcome in many other areas, but we're grateful that he remains so dedicated to us and our patients."

Campbell's contributions to patient-centered care and top quality hospital operations led to his designation in 2005 as Employee of the Year for Harlem Hospital, and then for the entire Generations Plus Northern Manhattan network, which also includes Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx and Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan. It's clear that, for Campbell, keeping his cool while staying at the top of his game is all in a day's work.