The word “vocation” comes from a Latin word meaning “a calling.” The staff at CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial recognizes their calling to care for the sick and dying is a sacred one.
This year, Memorial implemented a program through Catholic Health Initiatives called “Sacred Vocation,” which brings together a small group of employees from different departments to focus on creating a sacred workplace and enhancing the overall patient experience.
During an oath ceremony on April 26, the inaugural class at Memorial Lufkin recited their personally designed commitment to maintaining the ideals of Sacred Vocation.
“I consider my work a Sacred Vocation based on the love of God in Christ, therefore, I will:
· Treat others with kindness, respect, reverence, dignity and compassion;
· Focus on the positive and display a positive attitude in the midst of negative circumstances with patients and my coworkers;
· Display a Godly heart, putting others above myself;
· Respect patients and staff as I wish to be respected;
· Refer to patients by their name, not their room number when appropriate;
· Cherish each moment to do good to those I come in contact with each day.”
“I am so thankful that we have this program. As a facilitator there is nothing more rewarding than to see the immediate impact the Sacred Vocation Program has on the participants’ lives – both work and personal – and to know that you are helping them pay forward something that is bigger than all of us,” said Sacred Vocation Facilitator and Director of Community Outreach Tina Alexander-Sellers.
The seven class members spent an hour each week discussing the gifts God has given them and how they can use those talents and abilities in their everyday life.
“I’ve been awakened to know I must make the most of every opportunity to seize the moment and make a positive impact on someone’s life,” said Veda Curl, who works in the Admissions Department. “I look for that now every day.”
Jennifer Frost, who works in Rehabilitation, said most healthcare providers ultimately chose this profession to help others, and the Sacred Vocation class encouraged that ideal.
“This was a distinct reminder of why I do what I do,” Frost said. “Every time I go into that patient’s room, I want to give them the best of myself.”
The class members include Veda Curl, Admissions; Jennifer Frost, Rehabilitation; Rose L. McGhee, Homecare; Regina McDonald, Human Resources; Michael Monterastelli, Guest Services; Ed Mount, Guest Services; and Edward Thomas, Mission & Spiritual Care.
Cutline: Pictured from left to right: Chaplain Charles Macko; Tina Alexander-Sellers, Sacred Vocation Facilitator; Edward Thomas, Mission & Spiritual Care; Ed Mount, Guest Services; Michael Monterastelli, Guest Services; Regina McDonald, Human Resources; Rose L. McGhee, Homecare; Jennifer Frost, Rehabilitation; Veda Curl, Admissions; Jay Gilchrist, Vice President of Mission; and Shawn Barnett, Market COO & Lufkin President.
About CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial
Memorial provides more than a quarter of a million patient services each year and has a longstanding history of providing quality, innovative health care in East Texas.
With hospitals in Lufkin, Livingston, San Augustine and Memorial Specialty – the area’s only long-term acute care hospital – CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial provides millions of dollars in charity care and community support each year. Our mission is to nurture the healing ministry of the Church, supported by education and research. Fidelity to the Gospel urges us to emphasize human dignity and social justice as we create healthier communities.
Memorial offers a wide array of services, including the area’s first dedicated heart and stroke care facility and radiation oncology at the Temple Cancer Center. It is also known for the area’s only comprehensive diabetes, heart and stroke education center. Other specialty areas include imaging, orthopedic care, women’s services, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, homecare, wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, kidney & diabetes treatment, sleep disorders treatment and express lab.
Memorial Clinics, a division of the health system, employs more than 30 providers in 17 locations across East Texas. Specialties include Family Practice, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Internal Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Allergy/Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat), and Chiropractic Care.
About CHI St. Luke’s Health
CHI St. Luke’s Health, a member of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), is comprised of three markets―CHI St. Luke’s Health is home of the Texas Heart Institute (THI), eight hospitals, eight emergency centers, Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Radiation & CyberKnife Center, and several St. Luke’s Medical Group locations throughout Greater Houston; CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial (three hospitals and a long-term acute care facility in East Texas); and CHI St. Joseph Health (five hospitals and several St. Joseph Medical Group locations across Brazos Valley). In addition, CHI St. Luke’s is a part of a joint venture agreement with Baylor College of Medicine, which encompasses Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in the Texas Medical Center. Together, CHI St. Luke’s Health, THI, and Baylor College of Medicine are transforming healthcare delivery with a mission to usher in a new era of healthcare to create healthier communities. For more information, visit CHIStLukesHealth.org.