April MVP — Libby Grobmyer

By Ben Boulden

One of our coworkers died tragically. I was looking for a way to allow the APRN group to mourn; however, I knew I was too close to the situation to lead it.

Libby is the palliative care chaplain. However, she has been a personal pastor and friend to many of us throughout the hospital for years. On Ash Wednesday, while we work and miss church services, she brings them to us. When we have hard days, we call her.

When our patients do poorly, and families are too much – she sits with us. So, of course, who would text me the week of this work tragedy to check in? Libby. I explained that I needed to do something for our group but that I just couldn’t host it alone.

Libby volunteered to host a space for us on a Friday afternoon the same week – after hours as many of our group wanted to participate but had patients and clinics to finish helping. Libby brought cookies to an angry group of APRNs and let us tell stories, laugh, and cry. She didn’t judge our anger or tears, rather asked questions and listened. She stayed well past working hours and has zero responsibility for our group, but that’s just who she is, and it’s why we love and appreciate her so much. She goes beyond her responsibility to make UAMS a better place- one person at a time.

UAMS will recognize Libby in several ways as this month’s MVP. Look for her photo on the Employee Appreciation Wall outside the Chancellor’s Suite in the Central Building. A Faces of UAMS video will feature her, and we’re giving her some great UAMS swag. At one of the chancellor’s cabinet meetings, Libby will receive a certificate and monetary award and honor her and other awardees at the year-end MVP luncheon.

Do you know someone who should be the next MVP? If you have someone you’d like to nominate, please visit go.uams.edu/mvp/ and fill out the form.

Please congratulate Libby for being our MVP of the Month!