The Employee: Michael Johnson

Location: Tyler

The Fans: UT Health East Texas

Serious progress was being made at one of Datamax’s largest-ever installs inside UT Health East Texas. A project that started in January was well on its way to completion.

And then the pandemic hit.

Never one to back away from challenges, Datamax has shown tremendous evidence of our “Raving Fan” commitment through unusual circumstances. One shining example? Michael Johnson, who since Mid-March, has started his work day each morning by coming through the back door of the East Texas hospital, putting on his N-95 mask (and a homemade mask on top of that, to keep the N-95 from too much wear), gloves, washing his hands thoroughly.

He’s on the front lines every day. And he has UT Health’s needs front and center.

The Fan's Need

Since COVID-19 hit, Michael has been the one East Texas technician with approval to enter the hospital and work on office equipment. Covering the main hospital and the Olympic Plaza across the sky way, his duties range from fixing desktop printing issues, to delivering toner, to managing the copiers/printers at the main hospital.

“I’m making sure I’m wiping the machines down. I’ve got hand sanitizer and I’m doubling up with it, trying to keep myself and everyone else as safe as possible,” he says.

The Team's Approach

Michael said though it was a little alarming at first to be at the hospital during the coronavirus, he says the environment actually gives him peace of mind in some ways.

“Really, the attitude I pick up at the hospital is that everyone takes it extremely seriously. When you’re in that environment every day, you don’t have to worry about those people who aren’t taking the necessary precautions,” Michael says. “The sanitation crew is sanitizing everything. Everyone is wearing gloves. I’d say it’s gotten much easier as time has gone on.”

What Made Them a Raving Fan?

“Everyone seems to be thankful that we’re there, keeping them up and running,” Michael said. “There’s been some hiccups since the installation began, but we’ve done what we needed to overcome those. It’s been our goal to do everything we can before we have to use hospital IT resources. We want to take everything off of them we can.”