27 July 2012

Dennis Celebrates a Good Innings

Waikato Hospital Laboratory and Radiology attendant Dennis Kidd celebrated 40 years of service last week.

Known by various names including 'Billy the Kidd', Dennis was presented with a cricket bat signed by his beloved Northern Districts cricket team, and a morning tea shout to celebrate his anniversary at Waikato Hospital last week.

Dennis (60) started work in the hospital laboratory aged 20 and has held various roles throughout his 40 years of service.

“I work 70 per cent as a lab attendant and do some work for the Radiology Department as well,” said Dennis.

“There have been a lot of changes to the lab since I first started in 1972. It has had four of five makeovers with the latest only recently completed as part of the building and redevelopment programme at the hospital.”

Dennis is Hamilton born and bred and having worked at Hamilton’s cricket ground Seddon Park on and off since he was a boy purely for his love of the game, was chuffed with his gift.

His colleagues and managers however felt Dennis deserved the thoughtful gift and speak highly of him.

Attendants’ manager Steve Coles called Dennis one of the few remaining 'real characters' of Waikato Hospital in a tribute he posted on the Waikato District Health Board intranet yesterday.

“He would be the man you would keep an ear out for (as you would hear him before you saw him) if there was a cricket match happening, so he could give you the latest score update,” wrote Coles.

“In my earlier years in the organisation, the Attendant Service played many a cricket match against the 'rest of the hospital', and Dennis was always ready to lend some advice on the correct batting stance, and would then proceed to imitate Ken Rutherford.

“As you walked away, thinking the practise session was over, you would still hear Dennis going through the last scenario. My first few experiences of this left me thinking I was being rude by walking away when he was still talking, but you soon realised this was one of Dennis' mannerisms.”

Mr Coles said it is always a positive experience to run into Dennis in the hospital corridors, unless the Black Caps had failed, as he is always happy to have a bit of banter.

“Dennis has been and still is a real asset to the Laboratory, Attendant Service and the organisation.

“We look forward to many more years of his good humour, good looks and good commentary.”

Waikato Hospital Business Services manager Melinda Ch’ng calls Dennis a hospital icon and the “happiest staff number”.

“Nothing is ever a problem and he is a very a loyal and reliable staff member.”

Dennis is the fourth Waikato Hospital attendant to celebrate 40 years of service in the past 12 months.

An example of the dedication his staff shows, says Mr Coles.

About Waikato District Health Board and Health Waikato:

Waikato DHB is responsible for planning, funding and providing quality health and disability support services for the 372,865 people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $1.2 billion and employs more than 6000 people.

Health Waikato is the DHB’s main provider of hospital and health services with an annual budget of more than $701 million and 5238 staff. It has six groups across five hospital sites, three primary birthing units, two continuing care facilities and 20 community bases offering a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services.

A wide range of independent providers deliver other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health, pharmacies and community laboratories.

www.waikatodhb.health.nz

ENDS