Joanne Li

Service Journal
July 23, 2016
Service Journal: Employer Service
On July 21, 2016, the Department of Radiation Oncology (DRO) at the James P. Wilmot
Institute of Strong Memorial Hospital held an annual DRO picnic for staff and their immediate
family members. I luckily joined the committee and volunteered to help coordinate the event.
Ive worked at the Wilmot Cancer Center for several years and was surprised about the
big community in the DRO of the hospital that over 100 people came to the picnic. The DRO has
a big multi-disciplinary team including: physician radiation oncologists, radiation physicists,
radiation therapists, dosimetrists, nurses, social workers, administrators, and nutritionists. The
department is joined by the main office at Strong Memorial hospital and six off-site radiation
treatment centers throughout the Rochester and Finger Lakes region to provide convenient
locations for patients.
The annual picnic in summer is a reunion of the staff at DRO from all sites. Immediate
family members are also welcomed. The department sponsors the costs. The picnic was held in
the Genesee Valley Park next to Strong Memorial Hospital. The Riverbend Shelter in the park
was reserved early for the day in case of bad weathers. The committee was led by the department
coordination manager and administrators. I was welcomed to participate the committees first
meeting one month prior to the picnic to discuss about the planning ideas, designs of picnic
brochure and the sign for the day, food menus, fun activities for kids, shopping for snacks and
supplies, and cleaning up at the end. Later, more information was communicated through emails.
The picnic was a great treat for staff and family members. We barbecued and prepared a
lot of food, beverages including beers and wines, snacks, music, and other fun activities. I also
coordinated with the other committee members to set up, clean, and watch the kids. People
enjoyed the food, great music, and talking in groups. The young kids cheered for the big bouncer.
They enjoyed running around on the grass, bouncing with higher jumps, and planting sunflower
seeds in their own decorated small pots. It was a great opportunity for socializing with staff and
getting to know coworkers families. During work days, staff members are in the small offices
and mainly communicate with each other through phones and email. The yearly picnic is a face
to face gathering that creates an intimate setting for staff to get to know each other as a person.

It was a great experience to meet the radiation oncology community at Strong Memorial
Hospital in such an intimate setting. I also appreciate the opportunity to know the big supportive
group as persons.
Below I attached the picnic brochure and the photos of me at the picnic during my
service.

Figure 1: The brochure of the picnic

Figure 2: Food was ready.

Figure 3: Table was set up.

Figure4: People were enjoying the drinking and snacks.

Figure 5: Kids were running around.

Figure 6: Friends of staff were playing music.

Figure 7: The table for fun activities.

Figure 8: The big bouncer.

Figure 9: The coordination manager was teaching me how to use the stickers to
decorate the pots.

Figure 10: we were packing and cleaning up the tables at the end of the picnic.

Figure 11: I was helping put the box back to the car.