Our GEMS: Staff going the extra mile

Mindi S., Radiology, was in line to pay for her items at The Ginkgo Boutique, and there was a gentleman in front of her buying balloons and a card for his wife who had just given birth to their baby. His credit card kept coming back declined, so being the loving and caring person she is, Mindi paid for his items.

A patient who had an appointment scheduled for the next day with Courtney S. showed up at Reid Psychiatric Associates in desperate need to talk to her immediately. His daughter and new granddaughter had been killed in an automobile accident and he had to identify their bodies. He was in tears. It was Courtney's day off -- and she was not feeling well either -- but she immediately dropped everything and was in the office within the hour to talk with her patient. She stayed a little more than an hour to make sure he was good and could move forward. Courtney went above and beyond for this patient. I believe she deserves to be recognized, applauded, and many "thank yous."

A patient called in to reschedule, saying she was stuck in the Ivy Tech parking lot. The patient was disoriented and said she was starting to feel ill and needed a Coke. Renee H., Contact Center, went the extra mile and called the Reid, IU East, and Richmond Police Departments trying to get someone to the patient to help her. Renee also offered to try to find the patient to help her out of the parking lot. The patient ended up getting help from the Reid Police Department. Thank you, Renee!

Rochelle S., Patient Access Services, recently helped a patient whose walker was off-balance, going so far as to buy parts with her own money to repair it. If Rochelle sees a patient with a walker that needs fixed, you can bet she's going to jump in! She always goes above and beyond for our patients no matter the situation. She is truly amazing!

One of our care coordinators had a patient who needed a wheelchair. The patient's insurance company wouldn't cover the cost of the wheelchair, and the patient couldn't afford to buy one. The care coordinator shared the need with the rest of the Patient Continuum of Care Department, and two days later, Myreta K. provided a wheelchair for the patient.

An adolescent patient had been in the Reid Health - Connersville Emergency Department for several hours awaiting placement. The patient was hungry and didn't care for any of the lunch options offered. John C., Reid Health Police Department, ordered pizza for the patient while he waited. John went above and beyond for the patient, and his genuine kindness is appreciated!

Shortly before a patient was to be transferred to another unit, she started to panic and came out of her room saying someone was in there who had abused her in the past. Hannah Y., Observation Unit, comforted the patient and assured her she wouldn't be made to go back in the room as the patient insisted the abuser was in there trying to get to her. Hannah calmed the patient down and helped her take a shower to feel better. The patient lives out of her truck, and Hannah went as far as giving her the shoes off her feet! The patient cried and said, "I've never had someone care about me so much!" Hannah definitely went the extra mile and showed how great a nurse she is!

A patient at Reid Neurology Associates was very concerned he might not be able to find food to eat until he got paid the following week. After their work hours, Lauryn B. and Veronica F. bought groceries for the patient, delivered them to him, and made sure he was OK. The patient was so happy they took the time to not only listen to him but to help with his problem. They are the definition of a true GEM.

Amy H., Respiratory Care, took it upon herself to go down to the Emergency Department and find children's toys for a developmentally disabled patient to play with. Amy also printed off coloring pages and then sat with the patient and colored with her. Amy takes great care of all her patients but definitely went above and beyond for this one.

A young man was in the hospital for two weeks, away from his family and missing his friends. The patient enjoyed playing his gaming system online with friends but was having difficulty maintaining an internet connection. Darryl G., Information Technology, loaned the patient his phone to use as a hot spot for his entire shift on two different days. There was a marked change in the patient's demeanor. This act of kindness really impacted the young man.

A patient came to Reid Urgent Care seeking treatment for multiple complaints, including pain in his feet. The patient was homeless, and his only belongings were the clothes he was wearing. The patient's feet were covered in blisters, and a few appeared infected. The patient said his lone pair of socks would become wet and although he tried to let them dry as much as possible, he wasn't always able to do so. When Chris C. found out we didn't have any dry socks/footies at Urgent Care to give the patient, he quickly went to the store to purchase the patient a full pack of socks with his own money. When Chris returned and gave the patient the socks, the patient began to cry. It might have seemed like a small gesture, but to the patient, it was the world!

A patient who came into the office for an injection brought along their granddaughter. The granddaughter had a stuffed Elmo doll that James Hunter, PA, took the time to give a full check-up and its own injection. The granddaughter was over the moon that James took the time to check on her stuffy. The patient and granddaughter left extremely happy and with giant smiles.