AM PROUD to be a part of the CHRISTUS St. Mary 5th floor Cardiology team. It happens to be one of the busiest, most demanding areas in which I’ve ever worked. As a result of the fast pace of activity, many people are overwhelmed when they first arrive on our unit. But, if they had the luxury of time and the opportunity to experience the unit on a regular basis, they would soon learn there is much more going on than meets the eye…and ear.

We recently had a patient who was admitted under grave circumstances. This woman was extremely ill, and she was homeless at the time of her admission. In fact, the only belongings she had were the items she had worn into the hospital.

All it took was one plea for help on this woman’s behalf and assistance began to pour in from Associates on our unit from all shifts. At first, people brought in basic toiletry items, and then clothing for the patient that she could use once she was discharged from the hospital.

It became a pleasure to visit this patient every day. On one occasion, she tearfully showed me all of the clothing and other personal items that Associates on our unit had so generously given out of concern for her. I was encouraged and moved by the outpouring of love and compassion that flowed from my friends and co-workers on the unit.

No doubt, this was evidence of “Christ in (us), the hope of glory.”

Bea Simpson
social worker
CHRISTUS St. Mary Hospital
Port Arthur, Texas