Crothall Healthcare is honoring the recent passing of Environmental Services Training Director Edward (Ed) Virbitsky by renaming its EVS Training & Innovation Center at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) in Pittsburgh, PA for him.
At a dedication ceremony held in June to honor Ed’s life and work, the facility was renamed the Edward D. Virbitsky Environmental Services Training and Innovation Center. The ceremony was attended by approximately 50 people, including many of Ed’s family members, Crothall, and AHN leaders. Virbitsky was only 59 years old when he passed away in March.
“We want to ensure that Ed’s legacy lives on and those who come after him display the same passion and care that Ed had towards his craft,” said Regional Director of Operations Matthew Waggle, Ed’s supervisor who gave a testimonial at the dedication. “He routinely went above and beyond to make our associates feel genuinely cared for, which in turn created a memorable and impactful experience here at our training center.”
Adds Division President Larry Stebelsky: “Ed possessed a remarkable talent for engaging with new staff members and inspiring enthusiasm for their roles and future prospects. A truly exceptional leader, he connected with and made a meaningful impact on individuals at all levels within both organizations.
“With the new name, we honor Ed’s legacy and recognize the significant role he played in transforming the training/innovation center into one of the best in the country.”
Known as an exceptionally kind and caring person, Ed had the ability to connect with anyone he met from any walk of life. He was extremely patient, a great listener, and generous with his time and energy. He had a silly, yet sharp sense of humor.
A 30-year EVS veteran, Virbitsky joined Crothall in April 2020 and was responsible for building one of the company’s most well-known EVS training centers for new employees. Leaders and managers from other Crothall EVS units from around the country visit the site to learn how to build their own training facilities.
Waggle estimates that Virbitsky trained between 250-300 associates annually to work at the 9 hospitals across the Allegheny Health Network. Over the past three years, turnover among EVS associates has decreased greater than 10 percent.
Since arriving at AHN during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virbitsky developed the training curriculum and had taught all of the classes with an intense personal touch. Waggle recalls a particular incident that demonstrates this point.
“He trained people on how to vacuum and how to maintain a vacuum cleaner,” Waggle says. “Most trainers would say ‘this is how we vacuum, these are the vacuums we use, here is the manual’.
“But not Ed. He would take 20 minutes with the group, take apart the vacuum cleaner, rebuild it, and then make each new associates rebuild it.
“I said to him, you don’t have to spend 30 minutes on vacuum care. But he would say, ‘Matt, if I don’t teach them how to do this, they are going to bring vacuums to and wait for maintenance; they won’t be working.’ He was thinking 5 steps ahead. He was right. “
Waggle says Virbitsky used his unique skills to communicate with new employees despite any language or cultural barriers.
“We have a diverse group of new associates, and many do not speak English,” Waggle says. “Ed was extremely patient and found ways to communicate in ways they understood. He would move the mouse if they were using the computer and use hands-on techniques to demonstrate proper cleaning procedures. Then he would have them do it and keep doing it.”
A devoted husband and father, Ed is survived by his wife, Bridget, and children Ella, Zack, and Ava.
