Ready to Save a Life? - Marion General Hospital

Employee Excellencepurposeworthwhileworkmaking adifferenceWho’s Lighting the Halls of MGH?Marion General Hospital honors itsemployees who embrace the spiritof service excellence through itsHeadlighter program. Here is MGH’smost recent group of employees whoearned the distinction.❋ Headlighters• Carolyn Lane, R.N., hospitalist• Ashley Bowers, R.N., pediatrics• Robyn Mercker, R.N., nursingadministration• Michele Renaud, informationtechnology• Mickie Banter, R.N., family birthingcenter• Vivian Wampler, patient accounts• Jan Miller, R.N., medical oncology• Dan Edwards, R.N., emergency room• Michele Myers, radiology• Gary Baker, respiratory careFeatured HeadlighterGary Baker, respiratory care, practicesthe golden rule in his daily roundsGary Baker was recognized by three different staffmembers for the compassion he showed for a particularpatient in the telemetry unit.Baker was assigned to telemetry as a respiratory therapist. Although he didnot have any orders for the patient, he was in the hallway and overheard a physiciangiving the patient a diagnosis of cancer, with a poor prognosis.Baker recognized the patient was by himself and might need someone tospeak to. When the physician left the room, Baker entered and pulled up a chairto sit at the patient’s bedside. Baker talked with him for about 15 minutes and,before he left the room, he encouraged the patient to ask for him if he wantedto talk further.The patient later told his nurse it was nice to have another man to talk to andhow much he appreciated Baker. He is an asset to MGH because he gives exemplaryservice to patients.The words kindness and compassion come to mind when thinking of Baker’sactions that day. He simply put himself in the patient’s shoes and treated thepatient the way he would want to be treated if the roles were reversed.Kindness and compassion are difficult for some, but to be successful inhealthcare, they are traits you should have when interacting with others. It isthe absolute right thing to do.vim & vigor · spring 2010 53