Wyeth Vaccinator, April-May 2004

By: Nancy A. Ferguson, M.S., M. A.
OD & CI Consultant
Wyeth Vaccines Training & Continuous Improvement

Recently Keto Komono (Bioprocessing Technician—Pneumo) completed a program for Accent Reduction with Karen D. Long, a Corporate Speech Pathologist, coordinated by Training and Continuous Improvement.

Besides English, Keto speaks French, Lingala, and Kikongo. Keto learned English in his early 20s, but his heavy accent remained a problem. Late last year he started a rigorous program with Karen to improve his enunciation and general English speaking skills.

As a result, he’s better able to communicate with other workers back in the bio-processing areas where noise is often a problem. Another good result came in December with the birth of his son, S. F. Tiya Ne Kindinga Manzobulua Komono, on December 3, 2003. His wife, Henriette, doesn’t speak English. In the hospital Keto was able to act as translator for the medical staff and his wife. His confidence soared as he realized people could easily understand what he was saying during a stressful time. At his church, Keto is now able to participate in Sunday School discussions which he couldn’t do before his work with Karen.

Footnote: In August 2004 Keto Komono was promoted to a Manufacturing Supervisor in Pneumo at Wyeth.