Make A Difference

University Hospital’s pilot of a new cleaning strategy provided two leads, Beverly Lewis and Tonya Gilyard, the opportunity to demonstrate compassion. While piloting the new cleaning program, the ladies found they could make a difference in several patients’ lives by giving them “Care Bears.” Should they find a patient who was feeling lonely, depressed, or anxious, Tonya and Beverly would give them one of the little stuffed animals. This was the case with one particularly down patient who they found crying. After Beverly and Tonya gave her the Care Bear, they saw a major transformation in the patient. She made the bear a constant companion, taking it to physical therapy and for strolls down the hall. Her gratitude was overwhelming, and she thanked the two women endlessly for her new “friend.” These two women understood that no matter how well they cleaned, a patient’s environment didn’t sparkle until they touched her heart.