Celebrating International Women’s Day
By: Dawn Himes, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales Support at Compass One Healthcare
On March 8th, the world turns its attention to women and girls in celebration of International Women’s Day. And it certainly is that, a celebration; but it’s also an opportunity for conversation. Conversations about the gender pay gap, opportunities to increase representation in leadership positions, and more. I’m so proud to work for a company that embraces these conversations and more importantly, acts on them.
Editor’s note: You should know a few things we love about Dawn. Not only is Dawn an influential leader in our organization, she’s also a mother to two boys, Bradley and Julian. And with 25 years at Compass Group, she often assumes the role of mentor to women at all stages of their careers. Dawn is an aspirational example for the women of Compass One Healthcare, we’re lucky to have her.
When I think about women’s day, I’m immediately hit with visions of the amazing women that I have had as role models in my life. I grew up with a large extended family and had the opportunity to see my grandmother, great aunts, and my mother navigate how to balance work and family. This created a strong foundation for me to strive to achieve my college education and continue to grow my career while also raising my young family.
I have also had the great fortune of working alongside some incredible women in my 25 years at Compass Group. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to mentor several of them at different stages in their career; some from the time that they were frontline supervisors. I am always inspired to hear about the contributions of my fellow teammates and as we celebrate International Women’s Day, I’d like to share a few stories to highlight the success of some of our amazing Compass One Healthcare women.
Jovie Morales
My favorite thing Jovie’s teammates had to say about her is that she’s an inspiration. As a full-time working mom of three, Jovie rarely slows down and she’s always looking for opportunities to help others. She consistently takes on more than what’s required of her, whether it’s arranging for staffing reassignments, supporting the dietary team, or taking the lead on enforcing COVID protocols. She treats her kitchen at work as if it were her kitchen at home. It’s that level of commitment and making her work “personal” that’s led Jovie to where she is today. That, and a great team of other powerful women who she says, “feel empowered to accomplish anything!” What an incredible feeling!
Hrissula Karanguni
Originally from Greece, Hrissula Karanguni came to the US in 1985 with her husband with whom she now has two children. She joined the Morrison Healthcare team in September 2019 and immediately proved to be an invaluable member of the Patient Dining Team. In the early days of the pandemic, our team at CMC, like many other teams, had to adapt quickly and shift teammates to accommodate for new COVID units. Hrissula was moved in that shuffle, and she was happy to do it to help her team, but she was sorely missed by her former nursing team. Her nurse manager pleaded with the team to have Hrissula back as soon as possible because she had grown to become such an integral part of their team. Simply put, Hrissula made them better. Fortunately, the move was not permanent and Hrissula is back and providing the same excellent care as she always has. Hrissula’s goal is to bring joy to every patient she meets. It sounds to me like she’s accomplished that and more.
Phileatha Edwards
Phileatha has been a member of the Morrison Healthcare family for eight years. And she’s been busy the last eight years, working her way up from a line cook to a 2nd shift supervisor. Phileatha credits her success, both personally and professionally, to investing in her relationships. She’s built strong relationships with her clients, customers, the hospital staff at Novant Kernersville, and her co-workers, and she’s beloved by them all. Phileatha’s customers and coworkers lovingly refer to her as the “face of the café” at Novant Kernersville in Kernersville, North Carolina. And if that’s not the most glowing testament to the value she brings to Morrison Healthcare, then I’m not sure what is. On top of it all, Phileatha is a single mother to five boys and still finds time to support her community. I’m so proud of Phileatha for how she’s grown her career and made such an impact on her clients and customers. The future is bright for Phileatha Edwards.
Ijabo Hassan
Ijabo’s journey to Morrison Healthcare is unlike any other, and one of the most awe-inspiring I’ve ever heard. Ijabo, who was born in Somalia, immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 15 years old after spending much of her childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp. The word that comes to mind when I read Ijabo’s story is perseverance. Despite knowing very little English when she entered American high school, Ijabo graduated as a member of the National Honor Society. And despite having never cooked for anyone other than her husband and their four kids prior to joining the Morrison team in 2017, Ijabo is now one of her team’s “most versatile assets; she can work at the deli, behind the grill, as our cashier, and more.” She perseveres for her children; she says “everything my husband I do is to make a better life for our children.” We are truly lucky to have Ijabo on our team.
