Pint-sized 'employees' take over duties for the day at Glens Falls Hospital

GLENS FALLS – It might have been Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day at Glens Falls Hospital, but Ashley Diamond wasn’t having any part in pushing paperwork. In fact, she probably had one of the more enviable – and mouth-watering – duties among her pint-sized counterparts shadowing moms and dads throughout the hospital.

The sixth-grader at Glens Falls Middle School kept busy in the hospital kitchen helping her father Jim Jr., a cook with Nutrition Services, prepare meals. Trying to keep her toque from covering her eyes, she even made several pizzas for the event's luncheon, ladling out tomato sauce, meticulously weighing cheese and adding sausage and pepperoni toppings before loading her tasty creations into the oven. And while she considers her calling more in veterinary medicine, he knows the day builds valuable life skills and a good bonding opportunity.

With this year’s theme of “Revolutionizing the Workplace,” more than 70 children of Glens Falls Hospital employees joined their parents on the job for the day as part of Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day. This year marked the hospital's tenth year of participation in the 15th annual national event.

Just down the hall from the kitchen, in Medical Data Services, 10-year-old Samantha Wells helped her mom Desiree sort paperwork and order office supplies. "All the people here are nice -- and it's much better than school," said the fifth-grader, marking her third year of participation.

The department secretary considered the event "very important," wishing she had a similar opportunity when she was young to spend a day at work with her mother. 

Each child received a certificate of participation, an official hospital ID badge, a journal to record their day and a free pizza lunch.

Sponsored by the Ms. Foundation for Women, the national program, launched in 1992 as Take Our Daughters to Work Day, is designed to expand opportunities for girls and boys, expose them to what the adults in their lives do during their work day, show them the value of education and give them an opportunity to share how they may envision their future.

 

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