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Most people don’t typically think of hospitals as a place where diners will enjoy gourmet, organic, fresh food. At Mount Nittany Health, our exceptional Culinary Services team prepares items that defy the stereotypical hospital food experience. Nearly all of our top-quality, delicious meals are homemade and presented in a sophisticated, yet functional manner. Food is an impactful way to provide comfort and make patients feel closer to home during life moments that can be unpredictable and challenging.
Mount Nittany Health is fortunate to have one of the most extraordinary Culinary Services teams in the healthcare industry. For eight consecutive years, the department has ranked in the 99th percentile each quarter, according to patient satisfaction surveys, making it one of the top ranked hospital food service operations in the country. Craig Hamilton, Executive Chef, Culinary Services, and his team recognize the importance of preparing made from scratch food that includes a variety of choices for patients and staff. All produce that goes into each thoughtfully curated menu is certified organic, providing an extra boost of nutrition for patients with compromised immune systems.
Craig and his team continually go above and beyond for patients to ensure they are receiving customized food choices, tailored to fit their dietary needs and optimize their health and recovery. Recently, nurses at Mount Nittany Medical Center had difficulty getting a teenaged patient to eat. The Culinary Services department received a request to prepare something that wasn’t a menu option to entice the patient to eat. They happily complied, ensuring the patient received a delicious meal during a difficult time. This meaningful gesture shows the incredible lengths to which this team will go to ensure that our patients receive exceptional, compassionate care.
Including patient meals, café dining and catering requests, the Culinary Services Team serves an average of 1,425 meals daily and more than 520,000 meals annually. It is a massive undertaking that requires precision, dedication and above all else, teamwork.
Craig applauds the dedication of the Culinary Services team and notes that the incredible success of the department would not be possible without each of his colleagues. “I am extremely proud of our team, and what they accomplish day in and day out,” said Craig. “They go out of their way for each patient, staff member and guest they serve by providing the highest level of service possible. From the dishwashers, kitchen workers, cooks and servers, each team member plays a key part of our success and I cannot thank them enough.”
The next time you’re in Mount Nittany Medical Center, please stop by and say hello to the remarkable Culinary Services team. Employees, visitors and anyone spending time at the Medical Center can enjoy food from the Café on the ground floor from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm daily. If you work the night shift, the Café is open from 2:30 am to 4:15 am each day.
What’s your favorite meal at the Café? We would love to hear, so please take a minute to share with us in the comments. Thank you to the Culinary Services team for making a difference in the lives of our team members and patients by providing comforting, delicious and nutritious food. We are so grateful for all they do and for contributing to our mission: “Healthier people, stronger community."
