Random Act of Kindness: Recent Awards
Dora Johnson, Patient Visitor and Assistant
Dora was very helpful in working with an elderly patient in the Duke South Lobby. We tried working with the patient for almost two hours to arrange a ride home. She would not accept it until Dora talked to her and encouraged her. Dora was very patient, kind, and helpful with this patient. Dora got on her knees so she could talk to her since the patient was in a wheelchair. She helped her go to the bathroom, transported her to the van, and assisted her getting in the van.
I am so thankful Dora was in the Duke South Lobby to assist. I really think the patient would have stayed the entire night waiting on her county van to return the next day. Dora spoke to her and treated her just like she would her own family. The patient would not allow anyone else to talk to her about taking a taxi home except Dora. It was several of us who tried to talk her into not staying in the lobby.
I am very happy to work with Dara Johnson. She always lends a helping hand whenever needed. However, on this particular day, she went above and beyond the call of duty to assist one of our patients. Thanks, Dora.
— Recognized by Dean J. Johnson, Clinical Social Worker
Nachelle Smith, Patient Services Associate, Clinic 1J
Nachelle was so helpful with an elderly patient in IJ on May 28. It was almost 1½ hours past the time she was scheduled to get off work. The patient was left by the county transportation van. She did not have a ride back to Henderson. The patient was determined to remain at Duke overnight until the van could return the next day.
Nachelle assist the patient with making calls, arranged for SW to see her, and helped explained our options to help. Nachelle showed warmth, compassion, and determination to help. I tried to encourage her to leave for the day. However, she felt it was part of her responsibility to assist with the patient. Some employees may have been rushing to leave since it was 5 p.m., not Nachelle. She was there until a plan was in place.
Nachelle treated the patient as if she were family. She was very patient and eager to help her get home.
I am so honored to work with caring individuals like Nachelle. It really lets you know we have the right people in place to make a difference at Duke.
— Recognized by Dean J. Johnson, Clinical Social Worker
Celia Cadilla, Nurse, Radiation Oncology
Cecilia always goes the extra mile for our patients in radiation oncology. Here are two examples that happened recently.
Mr. A is an elderly man who lives by himself and prides himself on his independence. He has been coming to our clinic on a daily basis to receive radiation therapy for a rectal cancer. Besides his cancer, he has severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Walking leaves him extremely short of breath, putting him at risk for falling, not only in our clinic, but at home or in the community. Celia asked Mr. A if he ever had oxygen. Mr. A told Celia that he does but doesn't use it because the tank is too large and difficult for him to carry. Celia called the oxygen company and was able to get Mr. A a smaller portable tank. The other day Mr. A stopped me in the hall looking for Celia (he was using his oxygen). When I told him that Celia wasn't in that day, he began to tell me how thankful he was for what Celia did to get him the portable oxygen tank. The smile on his face was so big and priceless that I will not forget it for a long time.
The second patient was Mr. B. Mr. B had been changed to MS Contin because his insurance company would not cover Oxycontin. On a routine assessment Mrs. B told Celia that the MS Contin was causing Mr. B to itch. Celia promptly called the insurance company and obtained authorization for coverage of Oxycontin.
These are two quick examples of Celia's tenacious personality to ensure that our patients have the equipment or medication they need that will make their lives better. She has the biggest heart and gives everything she has, not only to our patients, but to her co-workers and friends as well.
— Recognized by Mary Ann Robbins, Nurse Manager, Operations
Ken Dodson, Building Manager, Nasher Museum of Art
Ken went out of his way and stayed late to assist in the rebuilding and configuring of a failed camera system at the Hart House. Ken's expertise with the
camera system allowed us to quickly resolve this issue with minimal downtime. His efforts saved both time and money for the University.
— Recognized by David Lane, IT Analyst
Stanley Chance, Patient Service Associate, Lennox Baker Hospital
I work at Duke myself and my father, Rastus Hudson, is a patient at Duke. My father has a brain blockage that is inoperable. The blockage makes him very
anxious, repetitive, and sometimes outcast from society, but that was not the case on March 18th. My father arrived at Lennox Baker to get an MRI of his brain,
and Mr. Stan Chance checked my father in and gave him nothing but the utmost respect. He joked with him, laughed with him, but above all, he took time for him.
My father was amazed by the gold stars that Mr. Chance displayed. Mr. Chance even went as far as giving my father one of his gold stars for doing well with his
MRI. The kindness shown my father that day means so much to myself and my entire family.
— Recognized by Brenda Fisher, Patient Service Associate Team Lead
Maria Arnold — Food Service Cashier, Duke Hospital
Recently I witnessed a food service employee, Maria Arnold, perform a random act of kindness. An elderly couple — a husband with a cane and his
wife in a wheelchair — approached the cashier to pay for their meals. Maria waited very patiently and spoke with a wonderful tone of voice as the man slowly
counted his money. After he paid, she secured her register and carried their tray to a table. He was worried that he was disturbing her, but she was so wonderful
with them and assured him that it was okay and that she wanted to help them. Maria also stopped to get them eating utensils along with napkins. She made
sure they were seated with their plates before going back to her register. This couple had been the only people in her line.
I am grateful for employees such as Maria, who take the time to make elderly patients feel that Duke provides quality service over and beyond.
Maria's service is seen by others and greatly appreciated. I only hope that one day my mother would be attended to in the same manner that Maria
treated these patients. Thank you, Maria!
— Recognized by Gaye Slaughter Currier, RN
Shaunti Crawford — Clinical Tech Assistant, Duke Hospital
"We as nurses sometimes have to push heavy beds. We had four nurses pushing a heavy bed and it was very difficult. Shaunti stopped what he
was doing to help us and our patients achieve our destination. Thank you, Shaunti!"
— Recognized by Lisa Barker, RN, MSN, and Julie Rougeux, RN, MSN, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Samuel Powell III — Courier, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Program
"Samuel Powell is the best courier. He makes sure that medications are here in a timely fashion and is a blessing to the patients. He has a great
attitude and treats all with respect. Sam goes beyond the the all of duty in his service to the clinic and units."
— Recognized by Richard Butler and Jernan L. Smith, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic
Tim Strayhorn, Supervisor, Engineering & Operations, Duke Hospital
Tim Strayhorn is a just and fair supervisor, demonstrating equal kindness and respect to all who serve Duke under him. He displays genuine care for all his employees and maintains
a very positive attitude and atmosphere in the shop. He has a thorough knowledge of every aspect of his job and the work his employees perform. Usually, he is more knowledgeable
than his employees, and he retains a willingness to teach them without ever displaying a belittling attitude or comment.
Tim is also very thorough in job completion and knowledge resulting in unforeseen and unrecognized customer satisfaction.
Tim's commitment to his job is also unsurpassed. On any "typical" day, he is here at Duke before most of his employees and remains at his desk until most have gone home (usually
after 5 p.m., after having come in before 6:30 a.m.). On one occasion, our shop received a pressing call five minutes before a retirement party for another employee in a separate shop.
Tim "ordered" every Control Shop Technician to the party while he took care of the call.
Under Tim's leadership the control systems he is responsible for have been greatly improved and are working much more effectively with less problems.
All who serve under him consider ourselves fortunate to have Tim as our supervisor. We would love to see Tim receive the recognition he deserves. As we see on a daily basis his
actions result in customer satisfaction, grateful employees, and a harmonious shop atmosphere.
— Recognized by David Parton, Senior Control Technician, Engineering & Operations
|
