Geisinger Family Bonds: Teressa Sweet

Teressa Sweet, a system support specialist associate in Geisinger’s Environmental Services (EVS) department, has seen her fair share of healthcare organizations. She’s held positions ranging from medical records clerk to medical assistant and administrative assistant for a CEO. It was her passion for the industry and Geisinger’s reputation that drew her to a career here.

“I did my homework before I moved to the area to work for Geisinger,” says Teressa. “I wanted to work for a leader in healthcare. I came here because I believe in where the organization is headed and how we are going to change the way people view and use healthcare.”

‘My goal is to help Geisinger shine'

In her role in EVS, Teressa travels to clinics across the system and inspects them for cleanliness. She then reports her findings to the clinic’s leadership team and the contracted vendor who cleans the clinic.

“I am very passionate about what I do,” says Teressa. “When I visit the clinics for inspection, I look at the facility through the eyes of the patient. When one of our patients walks through the doors, they immediately get a first impression based on the physical appearance of the clinic. This can influence their entire experience and be a deciding factor on whether they return, so my goal is to help Geisinger shine…literally!”

Professional growth
Traveling to different sites throughout the system allows Teressa to meet many Geisinger employees, in many different roles. These interactions inspire Teressa to keep advancing on her own career path. For her, this means investing in her own future by taking advantage of the many resources and benefits Geisinger offers.

“I’ve taken many leadership classes through Organizational Development, completed the School at Work (SAW) and the Aspiring to Leadership programs, and I’m currently pursuing a business degree,” says Teressa. “Geisinger encourages employees to grow and gives us everything we need to succeed. These experiences have allowed me to advance in my career and provided me with the confidence and tools to reach for the sky.”

Teressa feels that all employees should take part in the educational opportunities available at Geisinger, and she sees professional growth as a leading factor for those considering employment here. Her daughter, Katie, is in her last year of nursing school, and Teressa wants nothing more than for Katie to work at Geisinger once she graduates. “The possibilities for her at Geisinger are endless. She can earn her bachelor’s degree using tuition reimbursement while gaining valuable experience. Geisinger will help her get where she wants to be professionally and provides the growth potential for a life-long career here!”

Leader of change

Teressa’s advice to new and seasoned employees at Geisinger is to get involved and volunteer at every opportunity. Teressa volunteers as a Change Champion for Project Unite, a Human Resources and Payroll initiative to help improve the employee experience. 

“I’m excited about where Geisinger is heading with new technology, and I’m thrilled to be working as a Change Champion. In this role, I’ll spread the word about how Project Unite will help us use mobile-friendly technology to access our personal information and plan our career paths.”

As Teressa nears her five-year anniversary with Geisinger, she’s determined to keep learning and improving upon her skills. “I never would have imagined that when I started my career with Geisinger in the interim staffing department that it would lead me to where I am today,” she says. “I am constantly telling people about Geisinger and the great opportunities here. I am proud to be a Geisinger employee, and I look forward to growing my career even further.”