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60th Anniversary Employee Essay Contest
First Place Winner I remember rooming a beautiful 15-year-old female and I could tell she had a bothered look on her face. She informed me that she might be pregnant. We did a comprehensive work up and confirmed she was pregnant. She did not want to tell her mom and we gave her numerous resources for follow-up and initial prenatal care. She called me several times asking me for guidance on how she should tell her mom. I gave her the same advice I would want someone to give my daughter and let her know that honesty was the best policy. Another option advised was to bring her mother in and we could all sit down and discuss the results as a supportive group. The following week she came in with her mother for an appointment. I roomed her, not mentioning any additional information and respecting her patient confidentiality. A few seconds later her mom came out of the room and she embraced me and let me know how appreciative she was that God led me to her in this life-changing event. We both cried as she talked about the situation and how supportive she would be toward her daughter through this difficult yet exciting time. Today, this once young teen has since graduated high school and graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in business. I am so proud of her, as is her family. Her mother has said she can’t thank me enough for being there for her daughter and knowing that this could have turned in to a horrible situation if it weren’t for my advice and support. She is thankful to know that there are nurses that honestly care and can make a difference in someone’s life. Making a difference in people’s lives is the ultimate reason I became a nurse. Second Place Winner In the summer of 1987, a smart, enthusiastic young girl transferred to the Business Office from the Quail Valley Clinic. From the first day she started working, she was very well liked by everyone. One day, Martina came to the office to announce that she was expecting another child. We were all very excited and happy for her and her husband Ruben. But Martina started to become very ill and she was in and out of the doctor’s office for the next nine months with severe headaches and nausea. After her pregnancy, she continued to have headaches and one day, while driving home she lost feeling in her foot and leg. Soon after, she saw a neurologist and was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her brain. During the next months, she had chemo and radiation treatment and was confronted with large financial bills that put them in a hardship. As her co-workers, we felt the need to assist her family. When the clinic doctors, vice presidents and CEOs found out about Martina’s condition they immediately came to her assistance. For the first and only time in Kelsey-Seybold’s history, we started a clinic-wide fundraiser to assist Martina’s family. We started a clinic cookbook and received thousands of recipes from the cleaning staff, nurses, physicians and vice presidents and everyone in the organization came together for a great cause. The title of the book was “Helping Hands… The K-S House Cookbook.” We raised thousands of dollars for the Gomez family and on that Christmas of 1987, the entire Kelsey-Seybold family came together again to fill four truck loads of Christmas gifts for the Gomez family. On January 18, 1988 Martina passed away, leaving behind her husband Ruben and two young girls. To this day, those memories assure me of the dedication, concern and support that Kelsey-Seybold Clinic shows, not just to our patients, but also to our staff.
We were barely settled when we evaluated a 3-week-old who came in for vomiting. While working him up for his visit, I realized his heart rate was too high to count. All newborns have fast heart rates, but this was like none I had ever heard before. Holding back the “Oh my God!” that wanted to come flying out of my mouth, I let mom and dad know his heart was beating too fast and I needed to get the doctor. As the door shut, I went flying down the hall to get the physician, letting the pediatric nursing staff know we had a problem. The pediatrician promptly went in the room, followed by the nursing supervisor, and the wheels went in to motion to get Hayden taken care of quickly. A code was called and help arrived from every department. An EKG was placed, IV line started, ice packs applied to change Hayden’s heart rhythm from SVT to sinus rhythm. What made this event so memorable was the incredible team work that took place helping this little guy. When my peers saw the concern on my face and heard the tone of my voice, everyone changed gears and began helping with caring for Hayden, his parents and the other patients that were already roomed, etc. Not only did they help during the emergency but also afterward. Hayden had to be transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW syndrome), the presence of an extra abnormal electrical pathway in the heart that leads to periods of a very fast heartbeat. Mom continues to bring Hayden into the office often. He is now 15 months old and is nicknamed “Rocky” for his courageous will to fight. We look forward to seeing “Rocky” for many years to come. Honorable Mention He was recognized by many community leaders and organizations that day. Please keep in mind we were still a small clinic by today’s comparison. I was the only person that ran service calls on equipment through out the clinics. My last name was not easy to learn. I was just referred to by all as "Craig from the computer room." That evening I headed back to my car and crossed back over Dryden, cut through the Medical Tower and then entered the elevator behind Kelsey-Seybold at 6624 Fannin. I heard footsteps and held the door. Who enters but Dr. Kelsey, the man I watched being honored this same evening; a man of importance, no doubt. Well my youth and lack of maturity showed up and I immediately grasped his hand and told him "Congratulations, Mavis!" (Groan - what have I done? No "Dr.", no "Sir", no respect for my company’s founder and medical leader?). I really felt small. Dr. Kelsey, cool as a cucumber, accepted my hand shake, said "Thank You" and inquired as to who I was. I replied, "Why I’m Craig from the computer room." (Groan - again my youth and immaturity takes over). Again Dr. Kelsey nods in interest and as quickly as we met he arrived at his floor and was gone. I have had the privilege of shaking his hand in introductions at several events and managed, with my now years of maturity, to maintain my decorum. Best of all was early this year when I held the door for him at West Clinic and told him it was a pleasure to see him again. He stopped, looked at my badge and said, “I remember you. You’re Craig from the computer room." I pass this along because I want everyone to know KSC is a Family! Honorable Mention I had been suffering with my knees for days and I don't remember even having the strength to fall on them to perform CPR. It was truly a miracle. I just started CPR when I found the patient. It was truly a blessed day because the patient survived against all odds and I did the job I always wanted to do - I helped save a life. It was my favorite moment and I'll never forget it. Honorable Mention Later, we rallied around the oak tree in the back of the clinic for a moment of silence and a prayer for the loved ones and victims of that horrifying tragedy. The turnout of the doctors, nurses and staff was great. Each of them shared a prayer as we held hands in support of our country. As a proud mother-in-law of a soldier in Afghanistan this touched my heart. I'm proud to be a Kelsey-Seybold team member that works in a supportive environment that respects and honors this great country we call "HOME!!!"
When I called my supervisor on Monday, she had a week’s worth of uniforms by the end of the day and my other co-workers had clothes and cash. I had nowhere to stay and, though I never said anything, another co-worker paid for a hotel for a couple nights. The love and teamwork that my department showed me was so unbelievable. I have always been one to not ask for anything, but to instead give in any manner I could, and they all knew this and they just gave. The love that the Orthopedic department showed me during this time and until January, when I was able to move into a house and out of a hotel, is unexplainable. They showed the true meaning of pulling together as a team and of showing support for someone else even in their own time of difficulty. The mission of the department was to not let me feel alone in my time when I honestly wanted to just roll over and give up and I am so glad to say they made sure I didn't do that.
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