Your Stories: Saint Francis Food and Nutrition Team Recognized by a Grateful Family Member

Members of the Saint Francis cafeteria staff, who were thanked by a patient's family for their kindness and compassion.

In her thank you letter, Bridget wrote it was, “a blessing meeting the staff in the cafeteria, who quickly learned my coffee preferences; my compulsion for hash browns and tater tots; my fondness for fresh fruit and junk food simultaneously, and, most importantly, who took time to get to know me, as well. They learned my name, they knew about my mom, they looked for me daily and asked how things were going, they prayed for me, and generally gave me a lift when I needed it most.

“Starting with Clinton, who always had a smile and knew what to say; to Lisa, who never failed to make me laugh; to Erica, who ran around looking for flavored coffee creamer on the weekend; to Michelle and Christine, who patiently waited as a stared into space, holding up the line, and thinking about my mom (and not about food.) It was their non-stop kindness and humanity that got me through some extremely difficult days. I was a complete and total emotional and physical wreck for those 34 days, and I can’t even imagine what I looked like or how I sounded. Yet somehow, everyone managed to make me feel a little more put together – even when I know I wasn’t.

“I want to thank you and the entire team for truly going out of their way for a total stranger. Your team members gave me directions around the hospital, held my trays while was trying to balance my purse and my bag, waved and smiled, offered food suggestions, and generally gave more customer service than anyone could rightfully expect to find in a hospital cafeteria.”

Submitted by Doug Martin, Director of Food and Nutrition, Saint Francis.

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