May 21, 2014
When a retired minister spent Easter in the hospital as a patient at Bethesda North, the Transitional Care Unit afforded him a chance to share his passion for inspiring others with the teachings of Jesus Christ - and got much more than expected in return.
The day before Easter, caregivers in the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) on the second floor in the 300 tower, learned that the patient had conducted Holy Week services for more than 60 years, until this holiday, and "it was obvious that it was no small thing that was being taken away from him by his hospitalization," said Tom MacFarland, chaplain at Bethesda North.
Tom informed the on-duty charge nurse, Patty Watson, of the situation, and she and the primary nurse for the day, Terri Morrison, came up with a plan.
Knowing the staff had planned to bring in food for Easter, Terri asked the patient if he would bless the food before their meal, and an impromptu service evolved from there.
On Easter Sunday, more than 20 hospital staff gathered in the patient's room about noon to hear him bless the food and those working that day. There wasn't a dry eye in the room, and the patient was grateful for the chance to serve those who had served him in the hospital, he told Tom the next day.
"We talked about how the promise of Easter - that God has the last word - often comes as a surprise," Tom said. "When we think we've got things all figured out and know what can and can't be, we get surprised by grace. … Sunday's tears of sadness were replaced by Monday's tears of joy."
Amy Ernst, a nurse in TCU/2-T300, also commented, "It absolutely made my Easter away from my family worthwhile."
Thank you, Tom, Patty, Terri and the staff of TCU/2-T300 at Bethesda North for bringing to life the TriHealth mission of improving the health status of the people we serve.
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