Traditions Old and New

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about tradition.

At the Gopalakrishnan house, that means football, time with family, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the background, turkey on the table … and a little something special from home: Rudy’s BBQ. Yes, even with all the holiday classics, I make sure there’s good old-fashioned Texas BBQ on the table.  Some traditions are just too good to skip.

Here at GBMC, I’ve quickly learned we have some pretty great traditions of our own. In the first few months, I have been part of our annual GBMC crab feast for the medical staff, blowing of a ram’s horn to signify the start of Rosh Hashanah, talented volunteers playing the piano as you walk through the hospital, and even the naming of our parking garages after flowers (interesting).  However, my favorite to date is our annual turkey giveaway.

I’ll be honest – before coming here, I’d never worked anywhere that handed out whole frozen turkeys to employees before the holidays. At first, I thought it was a little crazy. But then I thought … it’s also kind of awesome. So I did a little digging.

It turns out the practice of giving turkeys to workers dates back to the 1800s in the U.S. It started as a way to introduce immigrant workers to American culture and grew into a common gesture of appreciation.

I asked around, and no one seemed to know when we started doing it at GBMC! So, I’m putting this out to you, dear reader: Who knows how far back our GBMC turkey tradition goes? Between our long-time employees and retirees, someone out there has the answer!

What I do know is this – greeting so many of you on November 12 as you picked up your turkeys was one of the highlights of my month. It was a fun day, but more importantly, it was a chance to say thank you. Because no matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, appreciation is at the heart of it, and that’s what this tradition is really about.

Speaking of Appreciation …

I’m thrilled – and grateful – that 68% of our workforce completed the employee engagement survey. That’s a 31% increase from last year, and it speaks volumes. So many of you took the time to share your thoughts to help me make GBMC the best place to work.  I don’t take that responsibility lightly!  Thank you.

There are two quotes that come to mind as I think about my responsibility to all of you:  “You have to earn your leadership every day” and “the best feedback is what we don’t want to hear.”  As I promised, I plan to read every comment that was written and use that information to make GBMC HealthCare an even better place to work.  

So, what’s next? In December, we’ll review the results with our leadership team. In early January, we’ll share those results with all staff, both at the system and team levels. Every leader will be expected to review their team’s results, build an individualized engagement plan, and share that plan with their team.  

And in the meantime, if you’ve got a favorite GBMC tradition (or if you know the real history of the GBMC turkeys), let me know!

COMMENTS

**Courtney Hartman commented on 11/21/25 at 13:17:**
I now always look forward to your blog each week, the way you connect stories makes each post so engaging and refreshing!

After 14 years at GBMC, I'm excited to see how the survey insights will help us grow and improve.

One tradition I truly love is the GBMC holiday meal where managers and senior leaders serve staff, it's such a meaningful way to spread joy and show connection across all levels.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      I love that. Look forward to serving our staff.

**Sharon Miller commented on 11/18/25 at 19:19:**
The turkey tradition was started by former president and CEO, Bob Kowal, in 1984.

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      Yes!!! Mystery solved. Thank you Sharon.
 

**Mindy Shifflett commented on 11/18/25 at 10:17:**
I'm so glad you enjoyed the turkey giveaway day. That is TRULY one of my favorite memories from the time I was a manager here at GBMC (from 2012-2016). It is definitely a time for "more joy"! I heard a rumor that YEARS ago, before I worked here, the CEO tried to get rid of the turkey giveaway and the staff were VERY unhappy. Perhaps that was just a lore, but its what I've heard!

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      I will learn from the past…don’t worry!
 

**Martha McCracken commented on 11/18/25 at 09:06:**
I don't remember when the turkey give away started but I do remember that many years ago leadership decided to donate them/cost of them to charity without asking us if we wanted to donate them. It caused quite an uproar! The next year we got our turkeys back. I think this goes back to what you said about feeling appreciated. We definitely didn't feel appreciated when that happened. Welcome to GBMC. BTW, you met my Sri Lankan friend while you were giving out turkeys. She was impressed that while visiting her ill husband, you took the time to speak with her. Before your arrival to GBMC she gave me strict articulation lessons in how to properly pronounce your name!

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      Thanks Martha I enjoyed speaking with her.
 

**Buddy Cole commented on 11/18/25 at 08:52:**
Dr. G,
Reach out to Richelle Tighe in HR. She's been involved in it since I started 10 years ago. She may have records of when GBMC started giving away Turkeys.
Buddy

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      Thanks Buddy. I asked her, but the mystery continues.
 

**Nicole Butler commented on 11/18/25 at 08:36:**
The annual turkey giveaway is truly my favorite GBMC tradition. I imagine it being very costly and if it was ever cut, I'd completely understand as there is greater importance; however, I am so glad you were able to experience this joyous event! I love the family feel at GBMC - it's special. And imagine it's not something you feel at other hospitals. We are grateful for your leadership, and we look forward to your innovative ideas and success!

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      It is an awesome tradition.
 

**Jessica Schlee commented on 11/18/25 at 08:16:**
Hi Dr. Gopalakrishan,

Before joining the Philanthropy team, I worked in the Volunteer Office, and I remain deeply connected to our volunteers because they are an essential part of our workforce. One of my favorite GBMC traditions is the Christmas Eve Poinsettia Delivery. We come to work on Christmas Eve (happily) and spend the morning delivering poinsettias to the patients that are in the hospital for Christmas. We get the delivery and call each unit for a census. Then the volunteers and Carmen and I set out with carts to deliver some holiday cheer to patients.

This small gesture brings SO much joy, both to the patients and to the volunteers who take such pride in delivering the poinsettias. It is a sweet GBMC tradition that embodies the hospitality of the hospital, and that is something I am truly passionate about.

I was thrilled to hear you speak about unreasonable hospitality, and I am excited to contribute to building that movement here at GBMC. I really enjoy reading your blog. Thank you!

Thank you,

Jessica Schlee

      **Dr. Gopalakrishnan replied:**
      What a thoughtful tradition. Thanks for the message Jessica.