Compassionate care and healing does not come from doctors and nurses alone. When a patient is in the hospital, compassionate care is the responsibility of every team member. Recently, one St. Francis patient found himself separated from his wife during a critical time. Our patient shared the letter below with heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at St. Francis and a special thanks to Stephen Simmons. Mr. Simmons works on our nutritional services team is an an example of our mission to bring compassionate care to the Richmond community.

I was [recently a patient] at St Francis Medical Center. I would like to share a portion of my experience with you.

At the time of my admission, my wife and I were expecting [the birth of our child]. [Just as my wife was due,] I found myself being admitted to St Francis. I was admitted on a Monday and the following day, my wife… was admitted to [another local hospital]. So my wife and I were admitted to different hospitals at the same time.

I would also like to tell you about my experience with a phenomenal employee named Stephen Simmons who delivered my food tray. Some might say that he was “just” someone who delivered food trays to the rooms but he is much more than that. In fact, as I recall my days there, his delivering my food was the smallest part of what he did for me. Stephen walked in my room each time with a spirit of compassion and kind words laden with encouragement. He made it a point to stop by and check on me if he was on the floor at any other time.  I realize the challenges of asking a patient “How are you today?” Yet and still he asked with each visit and then listen to my response. I was extremely stressed and still each visit by Stephen was the same. He asked how I was and then each time spoke words of encouragement and prayed for and with me. The Lord allowed our paths to cross once again yesterday and that prompted me to write to you today.

The nursing staff and Stephen kept me encouraged and cared very well for me. I would like to recognize Stephen and each of the nurses and Techs that cared for me during my inpatient stay. I pray that you will take the time to check my medical record and retrieve the names of those who cared for me for they are truly worthy of praise.

In the spring of 2010 Bon Secours Richmond produced an internal video highlighting our spirit of engagement. Stephen was filmed for video. The unedited clip below is what compassionate care means, in his own words. “I bring a smile to everybody’s heart, I bring them sunshine and I bring them food.” Bon Secours is proud of Stephen, and his team mates at St. Francis who make world-class care their passion, every day.

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