September Ambassador 'will go to the ends of the earth to make sure everyone has what they need'

Kent Hildebrand has two pieces of paper in the pocket of his scrubs top.

Each is folded several times and covered with scribbled notes about supply items. Some of the entries have been crossed out, having already served their purpose as helpful reminders.

Others remain unblemished, a to-do list of special orders, things to be restocked, or other important tasks.

The carefully curated lists are a window into the way Hildebrand approaches his work with the Reid Outpatient Surgery and Endoscopy (ROSE) team and others at Reid Health.

“What I enjoy the most about my job is feeling good at the end of the day that everything went well in here for the people I work with,” said Reid’s Ambassador for the month of September.

“I like being able to help these people who are in here working their butts off each day. I’m trying to make their day a little easier, even if it's just opening the door for someone.”

For the past 16 years, Hildebrand has served in the Material Services department at Reid. Before then, he spent years working at various factories, with his last plant closing around 2009.

“My wife came to work at Reid a year or so before that so when they were getting ready to close the plant, she says, ‘Well, why don't you just come here? It's like its own city. There's everything you can imagine.’ I said, ‘Well, OK,’ and that's what I did,” Hildebrand said.

“I like working here. People care about each other. People help each other. People are appreciative and respectful. And it's that way throughout the hospital.”

A native of Centerville, Hildebrand now lives in Williamsburg with his wife, Loretta (a member of Reid’s Revenue Cycle Management team); their son, Josh; and grandkids Peyton, Jayden, and Dylan. The Hildebrands also have a daughter, Mandy.

“Where I find my purpose is in providing for my grandchildren, not just to pay the bills but to be able to vacation, to let them enjoy things,” Hildebrand said. “We go fishing and mushroom hunting. In the springtime, I drag them out into the woods to just take a hike around.”

“I enjoy going to their ball games and the events they’re involved in and just being together at the house. We have some fun.”

Co-workers praise Hildebrand as “a lifesaver.”

“Kent truly cares about his role, and the pride he has in his job can be felt,” one person said. “He will go to the ends of the earth to make sure everyone has what they need to do their job and do it well. He always goes above and beyond!”

“When I walk down the hall, he always looks up, smiles, and says, ‘Hi,’” another colleague said. “His attitude is so positive and uplifting. His encouraging words and smiles always brighten my day. Kent is a great example of Reid’s mission and voice. There is nothing fake about Kent. He’s so genuine.”