Memphis Regional Quality Cup Award

The Mid-South Quality Productivity Center serves as the regional coordinator for the (former) RIT/USA Today Quality Cup  Award. During 2001, The Memphis Regional Quality Cup Award was aligned with the (former) RIT/USA Today Award. This award honors individual teams in six categories which make an exceptional contribution to their employers' quality improvement programs. The winning organization serves as regional role models, encouraging others to accept principles and practices that lead to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Winners for 2001 were in the areas of Health Care, Manufacturing, and Small Business.

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Wound Treatment Team -
Winner in the Health Care Organizations Category

The Wound Care Treatment Continuous Improvement Team at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare - Germantown Hospital conducted a study to compare the current conventional treatment for open skin wounds to the new Vacuum Assisted Closure System (VAC) being marketed to the Hospital by Kinetics Concepts Incorporated. The results of the Team dramatically demonstrated that the VAC system offered better patient outcomes in a shorter period of time and with potential long-term cost savings. Receiving the Award for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare were: Gary Shorb, COE, David Baytos, Cinda Kinsey, Annette Liles, Fran Loyd, Dr. Mary Samuels Missak, and Diane Swain.

Orthopaedic Division of Smith & Nephew PRISM
(Project Receiving Inspection System Modification)
Winner in the Manufacturing Industry Category

The PRISM Project Team of the Orthopaedic Division of Smith & Nephew, Inc., achieved extraordinary results in the improvement of quality in receiving inspection. These improvements included a 91% reduction in work-in-process, a 79% reduction in average daily Thru-put time. Receiving the Award for Smith & Nephew were Les Sprinkle, Randy Fesmire, Rick Loyd, Susan Bell, Randy Courtney, Gwen Davis, Tony Lowrie, Jean Watson, and Scott Wylie.

Ewing Moving Service, Inc.
Winner in the Small Business Category

The Ewing Team, over a five-year period, established daily staff meetings and the one person/one corporation philosophy. A videographer created a training video to train employees on the "Ewing" way of moving customers. The improvement in communication and emphasis on customer satisfaction resulted in a 22% increase in sales. Receiving the Award for the Ewing Team were Charles Ewing, Sr., President/CEO, Donna C. Ewing, Samuel L. Ewing, Jr., Margaret Paige, and Carol Howell.

The 2002 Award Application Deadline for the Memphis Regional Chamber Quality Cup is October 1, 2002. Information regarding the Award and the Application Form can be found by following the links.