Our Calling is Caring: December 07

Retired Caregivers

I wanted to share with you a wonderful testament of making a difference from Palmetto Health Baptist Easley (PHBE), a two-time Fire Starter of the Month winner and the feature of this month's Our Calling is Caring. In order to reach the maximum number of patients with post-visit calls, PBHE uses Discharge Call Manager^SM with volunteer and retired nurses. Six nurses (Clara, Martha, Alma, Elizabeth, Carolyn and Lib) with a combined total of over 300 years in nursing, make a difference in the lives of the Easley community by ensuring patients understand discharge instructions, questions are answered, and patient expectations are exceeded. Martha Holcombe, a Med/Surg LPN has been nursing for 43 years, with all of them at PHBE. Ms. Holcombe recently called a mother of a patient that had recently brought her daughter to PHBE’s ED. The daughter unfortunately had died and when Martha called, the mother was crying and, of course, upset. Martha listened for a while, and then asked if she could pray with the mother. The mother was very appreciative, and two weeks later Martha received a thank you note from this patient's mother telling Martha she was a true blessing! Alma Ferguson, a birthplace RN has been nursing since 1957 and came to work at PHBE in 1958. Ms. Ferguson loves calling elderly patients that live alone because she knows she is still making a difference in the lives of PBHE’s patients. "All of the patients I call are so appreciative of PBHE calling to see if they are ok and just someone who will listen. The patients all know the hospital cares for them." Never underestimate the difference a care-giver can make in the lives of patients across your community.

Hazel Seaborn, RN
Palmetto Health Baptist Easley
Easley, South Carolina