Welcome to the Spirit of Excellence awards program. This page will provide answers to frequently asked questions and provide basic information about this program.

Spirit of Excellence General Program Questions:

Q: What is this program about?

A: This program, co-sponsored by Sodexo Health Care Services, spotlights creative and innovative programs that support organizational excellence, patient satisfaction, customer service, employee satisfaction, commitment, and community participation.

Q: When is the call for entries?

A: Check back for 2010 program dates. Or you can click here to add your name to our notification database. You will receive an email when the call for nomination period is open.

Q: What are the criteria?

A: Five awards are given as part of the program:

• Service Spirit Award, recognizes excellence in service and in patient and resident satisfaction.
• Quality Spirit Award, recognizes quality, safety and performance improvement.
• Community Spirit Award, recognizes community education, support and outreach.
• Team Spirit Award, recognizes employee recruitment and retention.
• CARES Spirit Award, recognizes a team or group of individuals whose collective actions, attitudes and behaviors personify: compassion, accountability, respect, enthusiasm and service.

Modern Healthcare with the assistance of an outside panel of judges will recognize winners and honorable mentions in each of the five categories. Per editorial policy, award sponsors are not involved in the judging or determination of award recipients. Each of the five winners will receive a cash prize of $5,000, and each of the five honorable mentions will receive a $1,500 cash prize, courtesy of Sodexo.

Q: When is the deadline?

A: Check back for 2010 program deadline date.

Q: How do I nominate someone?

A: Through an online form that is available during the nomination period.

Q: What other information is required for nominating someone?

A: The 2009 nomination period is closed. Check back for 2010 program details.
Once an online form has been sent, please send the following three additional documents:

• A two-page (2,000 word maximum) narrative summary in which you will describe the scope of your project (the history and rationale for the initiative, the improvement in customer satisfaction, the employee collaboration involved, investment required and the economic impact, training/networking required for the implementation, efforts being undertaken to sustain or continuously improve the impact of the project).
• A team member list identifying, by name and position, the members of the team responsible for the project.
• A nomination letter from an officer of your organization. (Please address the letter to Modern Healthcare's Editor, David Burda.)

Without these additional items, the nomination is incomplete and, therefore, ineligible for consideration in this program. Documents need to be e-mailed to rmielcarski@modernhealthcare.com with Spirit of Excellence attachments as the subject line, or they can be faxed to 312-280-3159. Please DO NOT e-mail and fax the documents—we ask that you choose one method of sending to avoid confusion.

Optional Document to send: Many healthcare organizations have strategic partners or vendors that have supported their efforts. Please provide us with the names of any strategic partners or vendors that we may contact for recognition advertising purposes. The provision of this information is not part of the judging process and will not be considered when selecting recipients of this award.

Q: Is there a fee to enter/nominate?

A: No fee required.

Q: Who can I contact if I have questions?

A: Modern Healthcare's editor, David Burda at dburda@modernhealthcare.com or 312-649-5439.

Q: Can I be notified of next year’s call for entries?

A: Yes. Click here to add your name to our notification database. You will receive an email when the call for nomination period is open.

Recognition:

Q: How and when will the winners be announced?

A: The winners of the 2009 program will be announced in the Dec. 14, 2009 issue of Modern Healthcare.

Q: Will entrants be notified if they win/lose?

A: Announcement of winners will be made via the magazine and Web site.

Q: Will there be an event?

A: There is no event at this time.

For information on advertising or sponsorships, please contact your Modern Healthcare account executive or Ilana Klein, national advertising sales director at iklein@modernhealthcare.com or 312.649.5311.