KENDALLVILLE, IN - Clay Dimmitt, the recently-named safety coordinator at Parkview Noble Hospital, has jumped right into his job and is offering winter safety tips to area residents.
“Unfortunately, winter weather brings a huge fall risk for people while walking. Not only while walking on ice or snowy surfaces, but even wet floors inside buildings,” he said. “I recommend walking with caution and try to be aware of what you are stepping on.”
Clay recommends slip - resistant footwear or boots. If you are walking into work, wear your boots and change into work shoes inside your location, he advises. Also be careful exiting your car and make sure you have sound footing as you exit.
How you walk is also important, he added. When walking on known slippery surfaces, walk on the front of your feet, not the back – tippy toe - style. Keep your head up and take short, slow steps. Also extend your arms out from your sides for balance if needed.
“With winter weather almost upon us, the biggest thing I can stress is to SLOW DOWN. Whether walking, driving, or working outside, give yourself more time and proceed with caution,” he advised.
Clay began his new position as safety coordinator this past Monday, Nov. 27, transitioning from his previous post as a Parkview Noble paramedic, a position he’s held since 2012. He started his career in the U.S. Army, serving as a combat medic for six years with a tour of duty in Iraq in 2008. Towards the end of his time in the Army, Clay started paramedic education through Elkhart General Hospital.
A native of Jeffersonville, Ind., Clay met his wife, Beth, while in the military. She is an emergency room nurse at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Beth is from Churubusco and the Dimmitts have made their home in Albion. They are the parents of two young children.
Clay decided to make the change to safety coordinator after working as the Quality Safety Infection (QSI) agent for the EMS department for the past two years. The QSI team meets monthly and discusses employee injuries and the environment of care throughout the hospital campus. “I love working for Parkview and I love the environment Parkview creates for patients, co-workers and visitors,” Dimmitt said. “I am passionate about being part of that culture and part of the change.”
“I’m very excited about this,” he said. “I really want this position to become more personal with the co-workers and initiate a safety-conscious culture that we talk about on a daily basis, not just when an injury occurs.”
Parkview Noble Hospital President Gary Adkins is also happy Dimmitt accepted the position, “I am excited for Clay to be coming aboard as our safety coordinator at Parkview Noble. Clay has an extensive background as a first responder, which will serve Parkview Noble well in his new role. The safety of our patients and our co-workers is very important to us and I feel Clay will do an outstanding job in that capacity.”
In addition to his position as safety coordinator, Clay is planning to maintain his paramedic license, which means he will work a shift with Parkview EMS occasionally. He is also a student at Indiana Tech working toward a degree in healthcare administration.