Symbolic Analysis: The Emily Couric Cancer Center

Finally, speaking of physical locations, the executive members and managers have their own rooms and would prefer that most people knock before entering their rooms. Most research coordinators have small cubicles that serve as their workspaces. I believe that according to power and responsibilities, the office spaces are assigned to employees. All of this encompasses the political frame and the internship provided me with real life examples of how the political frame functions in an organization.
Symbolic Analysis
Definition: The symbolic frame focuses on how organizations make their culture and meaning visible, and also provides us with insight on how managers and leaders can shape the culture of the workplace, and build a culture in the
The architecture of any building is very important in giving interpretation to the visitors and employees of any organization. The hospital buildings are designed in such a way as to welcome visitors and has positive messages on wall portraits that are there to comfort the patients and visitors. In the Emily Couric Cancer center, the entrance has a huge portrait of Emily Couric because of whose generosity the cancer center and the research that is conducted was possible, this provides a background about the history about the cancer center. Further down the hallways, the walls feature messages that give out positive vibes and cause patients to develop faith in the organization. The culture at the cancer center has evolved over the year and has always been improved to make the place a more optimistic and better place for patients and their relatives. The caregiver café is a tradition of the hospital hosted every week by the hospital social services community, where the patients and their visitors are invited for free coffee and snacks to socialize with each other and with the hospital staff, to develop a more positive relationship with the hospital community, since patients diagnosed with cancer would be required to be at the hospital more frequently. Caregiver café has brought a lot of positive responses from patient and visitors
This tradition has evolved as a response to the fact that cancer patients, even though completely or mostly treated, get into depression because of the deterioration of their physical appearance. Flourish is a positive imaging boutique that sells items like wigs, mastectomy bras, etc. to make the patients look and feel better after or during cancer treatment. This tradition has evolved from existing culture of caregiver café where patients and visitors can express their concerns and what they would like to see in the hospital to make their experience in the place during the treatment phase better. Also, once every two months the cancer center hosts a “get to know your peers” event where they invite all of the employees whose work roles involve the cancer center, so that employees better get to know each other and can also take a break from their strenuous schedules.
After working here for a semester, I believe that the symbolic values mesh with the core values of the cancer center. The mission of the cancer center is to do their best to provide the best possible cure for cancer to patients, and to provide physical and mental well-being to cancer patients. To achieve this mission, the cancer center came up with the above mentioned rituals and activities that would help patients.