MDG recognizes Customer Service Week

86th Dental Squadron personnel throw confetti and cheer as the fifth customer walks through the door to receive a United Service Organizations gift voucher during Customer Service Week on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 10, 2014. The 86th Medical Group celebrated Customer Service week throughout the week with a variety of fun competitions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Hailey Haux)

MDG recognizes Customer Service Week

Tech. Sgt. Tracy Love, 786th Force Support Squadron force management NCOIC, and family receive a United Service Organizations gift voucher from the 86th Dental Squadron during Customer Service Week on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 10, 2014. The 86th MDG celebrated Customer Service Week to recognize their staff members for a job well done. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Hailey Haux)

MDG recognizes Customer Service Week

Published Oct. 15, 2014
By Senior Airman Hailey Haux
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Oct. 6 through 10 marks Customer Service Week and the 86th Medical Group decided to make the most of it through a variety of different activities.

"Customer Service Week is a way to celebrate the service provided by our staff members and recognize them for a job well done," said Heather Perales, 86th MDG director of quality. "We had events and fun contests throughout the entire week for our staff and our clients to participate in."

During the week, clients of the 86th MDG were given a gold coin upon arrival and were instructed to hand it to the person or office they thought provided the best customer service during their visit. At the end of the week all coins were counted and the office with the most coins, the Pediatric Clinic, received a pizza party for providing excellent customer service.

"We also have staff members throughout the clinic acting as 'secret shoppers,'" said Perales. "They will observe their co-workers and give on-the-spot recognition for a job well done. They handed out things like key chains, note books, and other goodies."

The MDG even took time out of their busy days to take part in the Verbal Judo class offered by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ricks, 86th Security Forces Squadron Verbal Judo instructor. The class teaches personnel how to react in any situation using different verbal cues.

"With more than 800 staff members and roughly 73,000 appointments each year, it's important for our people to know how to talk to patients, make them feel comfortable and show them that we care," said Maj. Janelle Quinn, 86th MDG practice manager. "We want our patients to know that we appreciate them and this Customer Service Week has been our opportunity to give back to them."

In addition to events, on Oct. 10, five people were surprised with a $50 voucher for a United Service Organizations trip of their choice.

"We were very surprised to receive the gift voucher," said Tammy O'Toole, wife of Mario Belis, 86th Security Forces. "We really love taking trips and are very excited to use the voucher for something fun for the whole family."

Even though Customer Service Week has come to a close, it's never too late to recognize someone for a job well done.