Pediatric Perfusionist Needed Immediately for Canadian Market

Looking for an experienced Pediatric Perfusionist for a 1-year assignment in Canada. Great location. Great salary.

Please call the office for information. 1-800-888-8408.

Thank you.

Ralph E. Jordan
CEO and President
Trident Health Resources, Inc.

Mail from Everywhere Regarding The Company Formerly Known as Fresenius

I apologize for not posting this update to the Trident Blog much earlier, but even at this late date, Trident is still wading through and responding to numerous faxes and emails received from our blog discussion post about the new company's policy to hold salaries in arrears.

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The responses we have received have paralleled the sentiment behind Trident’s inital impression. Thank you to those of you who have agreed to share the contents of your correspondence reflecting your feelings of dismay, discouragement and in some cases, even anger. To many we’ve heard from, it’s not even the money that’s being held as a point of contention (although that certainly is a factor), it's the fact that a major decision regarding salaries seemingly took place without regard, care or consideration to the many long-time employees who have endured much over these constant mergers and buy-outs.

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Whether a new payroll system of payment is initiated based on cash flow considerations or State-regulated legalities, or simply as the means to assuage a department’s workload, the reason of company “convenience” to change an important payroll policy (although legal in many states) speaks volumes about a corporate philosophy. What is evident from the correspondence we received, the communication to the field was poorly handled and was deja vu all over again (as Yogi Berra so eloquently once stated).

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The perception of cold and impersonal management is not new and was the hallmark of past owners perpetuated by these kinds of management decisions that disregard the needs of the front line. Clearly that’s what happened, or else why did the new venture group retreat and offer to postpone the payroll adjustment until March 2008, even offering an improved repayment program to employees of need (for their own paycheck), if not to acquiesce to the pressures of "exempt associates"? The overwhelming response that we have received seems to indicate that many of the rank and file continue to question management decisions.

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A management team which sways from a firm decision under pressure exposes the soft-underbelly of weakness...of having acted hastily, needing to then back-peddle to make a correction in a flawed decision. It happens in some organizations and history shows us, such handiwork can destroy credibility instantly.

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We are touched by the stories of those who’ve contacted us. With permission, a few of the quotes that we have received follow:

• "We are very confused about what we have heard and do not know what to make of it, since we have no details."
• "The funny thing is the people in charge are all new...they never worked for Fresenius or Edwards or Baxter....all new benefit people, as well. So no one can blame it on Fresenius this time. It's all the fault of the new management. I am not a happy employee and I am personally tired of all the mergers and changes in policies every few years....I am tired of the lack of competitive pay. I was optimistic that the new management might make the necessary changes, but I'm not impressed with what I have seen so far, and they haven't been in charge that long. And now...this."
• "Many of the old upper management people were laid off, so in many ways we have a new company...I have been through three mergers and having been with this company for over 12 years, I am not impressed. This acquisition has been nothing short of disorganized and virtually no information has been forthcoming. We got a letter telling us who our 401k, health, and dental will be with, but no details or info on costs. We just got info on the 401k package last week, but nothing else. .... It is a disaster, if you ask me."
• "It was sold in May, although our benefits are still covered through Fresenius until the beginning of October. Now, I can say that this organization has not been very organized in getting out information to us in a timely fashion. Our benefits are due to switch over on October 7th and we still have not received our benefits package. Hello??? And they have no phone number designated for us to call in and ask questions, including benefits questions, so a few of us are very irritated and unhappy with the way things are going in that regard."

Upon review of these comments above, it's clear that communication is the essential factor to good employer/employee relations and it seems from the comments we received that it was somewhat lacking in the new venture company's payroll policy change. The responses that we received were more about a lack of communication than anything else and that this problem seems to have been persistent throughout the three mergers, etc. It was Trident's intention in blogging about this to bring forward shared information for the good of all, however, some comments to us expressed concern that maybe we were too heavy-handed in our message.

For example, several individuals expressed the following:

• "It was inappropriate to prematurely post that information before you were certain that all Fresenius/HCSG employees were notified."
• "...not exactly a professional thing to do, especially if it involves speculation." (Trident's Response: Note: which it did not)
• "You never know when information you post will be disproved and make it appear that you are just spreading propoganda. Like I said, I don't believe this was your intention...just be careful."

We thank all of you who responded to our blog post of 9-10-07 . I appreciate all of your comments and your points of view. Please keep writing and we will attempt to be as responsible as we know how to post factual information that benefits the entire Perfusion Community. Trident views our niche industry like family and wants to keep communication open and positive, addressing any concerns as they arise.

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Perfusionists have historically aspired to the highest standards regarding the Profession and the care of the patient. Shouldn't they also hold their management to the same standards that they aspire for themselves? Because if they can't find it in the environment that they're in, they will eventually seek alternatives with other companies which aspire to that same excellence.

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As always, we welcome your comments and if given permission, will post on this blog.

Never settle!

Sincerely,

Ralph E. Jordan
President and CEO

Trident Health Resources, Inc.

Industry Update and the Latest on the Company Formerly Known as Fresenius

Because our industry is relationship driven, like family—news travels quickly. Any change in the infrastructure of key players in the perfusion business has implications to all. As Trident’s leader of a fine team comprised of many good people, it’s important to me to convey accurately and swiftly any concerning reports of unusual activity. As such, today, I sent a memo to our employees, copied herein, in response to the company formerly known as Fresenius and their plans to freeze a week of their employees’ salary. What does it all mean?

9-10-2007

A surprise is forthcoming to our dear friends employed by the old Fresenius Perfusion Unit that was most recently sold to a venture capital group out of Nashville (mentioned in an earlier blog post) It seems the transition from old Fresenius to the new organization has run into a few roadblocks...but this snag is a doozie and one that reeks of a possible severe cash crunch.

The first week of October completes the formal transition to the new venture capital group. I’ve confirmed that the new owners of the beleaguered perfusion service company are greeting their new employees with a dose of reality, believed to be symptomatic of a cash flow problem, but hopefully, not a sign of things to come. Every employee in the new corporation will have one full week of pay held...the 1st week of October, paid back upon separation from the company. It is understood that the terms of this unprecedented salary take-back includes a clause that reads if there is a hardship to the employee, the company will loan the week’s pay to be paid back in November. I question how loaning someone their own well deserved pay is a sincere attempt to assuage a hardship.

Further, if there is a true cash shortage in any company for whatever reason, such information should be honestly and forthrightly told to the deserving loyal employees. Not giving a reason, as I understand was the case, is a pretty bold and arrogant statement about the ethical platform on which a company stands.

I certainly share the feelings of loss for our friends from the old Fresenius still employed under the new venture capital group. They will be rightly and deservedly upset, if not down-right angry, when they hear about this latest shortfall, which affects their pocketbook. This decision is an insult to their stellar professional careers.

As a Trident employee, step up and let your friends know that they have a friend in Trident. We'd be glad to listen to anyone who would like to get in touch with us, realizing that offering condolences at this time won’t exactly change things. However, perhaps there are other alternatives to alleviate their collective dilemma. Please reach out. Listen. There will be much anger because of this situation. I believe the PerfList message board will be blazing with comments of disgust and despair. Trident will listen and try to offer solutions to those groups of clinicians feeling the brunt of this unfortunate managerial decision.

Like many of their ilk, these venture capital types are interested in one thing—a return on their investment. Historically, venture capital managers have sought the usual 40% return. Such a return won't be achieved in this business by these folks given the latest management decision to sequester funds. The most important stakeholders in any business, but especially ours, are the staff.

Despite the dire circumstances described above, Trident employees should know: this is an excellent business to be in...we have celebrated 19 straight yrs of successful, profitable business with happy and productive perfusionists who are our most important asset. We don't skimp on salaries or benefits, staffing needs, vacation relief and annual meetings (which are a requirement for all of our folks). I can affirm with confidence, as well, that there are quite a few other contract companies out there which do a good job and protect and value their people, just as Trident does.

Thank you for your constancy and great work efforts. We are proud of our association with you. Let us know how we can help you all.

Best Regards,

Ralph E. Jordan

President and CEO
Trident Health Resources, Inc.

Staffing Update at Trident Health Resources

Trident Health Resources has been fortunate in recent weeks to have hired some strong , experienced new perfusionists to our team. While we are still recruiting (see our website, Employment page, for specific needs), we are saddened to announce the departure of a fine Elite Travel member who also headed up our Q.A. function at Trident.

Ms. Rebekah Trittipoe will continue to work as a consultant to the organization, however she will be launching two perfusion-related business endeavors. Enabled by her recently completed MEd in e-Learning Technology and Design, the first is an online educational venue that will provide ABCP Category I CEUs for completing various educational learning units. The associated website is http://www.perfusioneducationonline.com/ . The second venture is a continuation of her perfusion quality consulting business, launched initially in 2003. Rebekah will be providing a variety of perfusion quality and risk assessment services to her clients. At present, the website which is still under development can be found at http://www.r-gconsulting.com/ . However, in the near future, the company information can be found simply at http://www.perfusionquality.com/ . Rebekah may be contacted at (434) 238-2118.

Rebekah, all of us at Trident will miss you and we extend to you good wishes on your new venture. We are very proud of the association with you over the many years you helped us.

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Ralph E. Jordan

President and CEO