Compassion, selflessness and generosity are just a few of the reasons two staff members and two volunteers were recognized last Wednesday at St. Joseph's General Hospital.
Staff members Linda Buchannon and Gayle Watson and volunteers Jim Peacock and Denny Beeman were honoured with the Sister Pat Macauley awards, named in honour of the Sisters of St. Joseph's commitment to health care at the hospital, as exemplified by Sister Pat Macauley.
Macauley served three terms at St. Joseph's — 1978 to 1982, 1986 to 1992 and 1999 to 2002.
"As a Sister and a Chaplain, Sister Pat was always looking to serve others," said Michael Pontus, the hospital's president and CEO. "Support in good times and bad was available from Sister Pat in abundance. She lived with a strong faith, moral conviction and was available 24/7 to aid many in their time of need."
The Sister Pat Macauley awards honour staff and volunteers for being inspirational and dedicated.
"In this moment, we take time to recognize individuals who inspire us and energize us all by the quality of their daily presence here day in and day out," said Steven Hill, the hospital's director of pastoral care, mission and medical ethics. "We recognize staff and volunteers who walk the talk and make the words in our mission statement come alive. They inspire all of us by the transparency and authenticity of their care with compassion, commitment to excellent patient care and daily profound respect for human dignity."
St. Joseph's board member Cynthia Davies presented a Sister Pat Macauley staff award to Linda Buchannon.
Buchannon has given 37 years and more than 70,000 hours of work to St. Joseph's and the community.
"Care, compassion and respect for all are an integral part of her personality," said Davies.
Davies read praise for Buchannon from her co-workers who nominated her for the award.
"I have found, through Linda, that compassion for residents is not just something we do or experience; it is a way of being, a true and deep calling," she read. "She is one of the kindest, most nonjudgmental people I have had the honour of working with."
Pontus presented a Sister Pat Macauley staff award to Gayle Watson.
He read a letter by her co-workers praising Watson for her commitment to the organization and to the people she works with.
"Gayle is truly an expert in payroll and compensation, and her value to the hospital is demonstrated every day," read Pontus.
Watson has been working at St. Joseph's since March 29, 1973, working her way up to payroll supervisor.
"Gayle is unfailingly kind and compassionate and always tries to support staff who come to payroll for advice," read Pontus. "Gayle is always the first to offer help in every capacity she can. She shows a genuine concern for others."
Pat Allan, St. Joseph's manager of volunteer services, recognized husband-and-wife volunteer team Jim Peacock and Denny Beeman with the Sister Pat Macauley award for volunteers.
Peacock and Beeman have volunteered at St. Joseph's since 2005.
"Whatever we call on them to do, they say 'sure, we can do it,'" said Allan.
Beeman is a team leader in cancer care and day care, and she has volunteered in emergency, special projects and many areas in the hospital.
"Denny doesn't do things the easy way — she does things the right way," said Allan.
Peacock is the hospital's "photographer extraordinaire."
"It's meant a lot of extra time, extra hours and putting his own schedule aside," said Allan.
Allan considers Beeman and Peacock a great example.
"One of the things that inspires me is you and Denny together," she told Peacock. "By the way you are together and by the way you are with everybody else, you remind us it's about concern for the other person, remembering what's really important and being there for each other."
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