Make a Difference Winner

A hospital can be an extremely stressful place to work. It is a 24-hour operation, most departments are understaffed, and-let's face it- none of the customers really want to be there. It is easy to get caught up in the work itself, forgetting the higher goal of caring for patients and their families. Gene Braxton was able to focus on what is truly important and create a brief moment of comfort for an upset visitor.

A woman was feeling overwhelmed as she spent several nights attending to her dying 90-year-old father, who was agitated and suffered from dementia. In his confusion, he was trying to pull out his catheter, oxygen mask, IV, etc. The man's daughter had to spend her nights trying to hold down his hands so he wouldn't do himself harm trying to pull out tubes.

Exhausted and distraught, she went to the lobby for a cup of coffee. Because it was only 5 AM, the cafe was closed. The vending machine was not working. She could do nothing but sit down and cry.

Then, for the first time since bringing her father into the hospital, she experienced a comforting moment. Gene Braxton noticed how upset she was and asked her if she was OK. Gene found the woman a cup of coffee and listened to her concerns about her father. He told her that it would be all right and that he would pray for her dad. He told her to come find him if there was anything else he could do for her. According to the woman, "This man calmed me down and was kinder and more sympathetic than anyone else during my stay."

The simple, thoughtful actions Gene took had nothing to do with his training, his job description, or his status at the hospital. He did what we should all strive to do in healthcare and in life: treat people with compassion. We are proud to have Gene as part of Crothall to remind us what is truly important.