Kay A. Newcombe recommends Mr. Anderson for employment based on his six years of experience working in healthcare. As a security specialist and on-call mental health technician, Mr. Anderson treated patients with dignity and compassion. He was well respected by staff, students, and spiritual leaders. Mr. Anderson also helped immigrant workers from Bosnia and Russia feel welcome by speaking their languages and understanding their cultures. While working on a psychiatric unit, Mr. Anderson remained calm and kind with difficult patients, avoiding restraints or seclusion. Newcombe believes Mr. Anderson will continue improving his skills and is highly committed to his work.

1. "Good Help to Those in Need."
Kay A. Newcombe, RN
Medical Staff Performance Improvement Coordinator
Bon Secours Richmond Health System
May 7, 2012
To whom it may concern,
I’ve known Mr. Anderson for six years with two of those as his Nurse Manager on a 32
bed Behavior Health Unit. During this time his full time position was a Security Specialist for our
hospital, but his experience as an emergency medical technician, mental health counselor and a
desire to work with patients led to him being employed on an as needed basis for the unit. He
readily adjusted to both roles and treated our patients with dignity and respect. The patients
appreciated his abilities to listen and care for their needs with compassion. The Catholic
Organization that employed both of us has a very strong values and positive mission statement
that Mr. Anderson readily accepted and exemplified in both his positions.
During his employment for Bon Secours, St. Mary’s Hospital he was very well respected
by the staff, students, spiritual leadership and had a special relationship with many of our
environmental services staff who immigrated from Bosnia and Russia. His fluency in their
language and understanding their culture helped them feel at home in our facility and eased
their transition into a new country. He further remains in touch with many of the staff and the
spiritual leadership. He builds relationships through his communication, humor and genuine
kindness. Of course working in our security department showed that he could be firm and
assertive when it was needed, but he was always mindful to respect and protect each
individual’s dignity.
As I mentioned, Mr. Anderson worked on a busy psychiatric unit. The stigma often
associated with mental health disorders creates misconceptions even among healthcare
providers. Mental Health patients are underserved in our communities and in part because of
this stigma. Finding staff willing and able to work with mental health patients is not an easy task,
but Mr. Anderson was able to enter the role with ease. In the face of verbally abusive and
difficult patients he remained calm and kind. His approach often de-escalated potentially serious
situations, thus avoiding restraints or seclusion.
I know Mr. Anderson continues to seek ways to improve his skills and has a true passion
for working with people. Even though we have moved to different positions since I was his
supervisor, we have kept in touch. I have seen him continue his efforts to engage in positive
interactions both in his personal and professional life. His endless energy and commitment to
the work he does have not diminished in any way. I highly recommend him for any position that
he applies and believe he will be an excellent member of management.
Sincerely,
Kay A. Newcombe, RN