January 28, 2015

Tara Bagford and Jenna Hoaglin, nurses at Bethesda North in 2300, received a donation from a grateful patient after Tara and Jenna coordinated a lunch for their patients who were friends.

The donation was provided through the Spirit of Compassion program, which gives patients and family members the opportunity to recognize a physician, nurse or staff member who made a difference in their lives with a gift in their honor and a special note of thanks. The Bethesda Foundation delivers the note and recognizes caregivers with a Spirit of Compassion gift to commemorate the honor. 

Along with the donation, the patient submitted a note that said:

On New Year's Day, I was a patient in 2325. I had heard that one of my Auxiliary friends was a patient down the hall.  After I started feeling better I went to visit her in room 2309. 

Her nurse, Tara, came in the room, and when she realized I was a patient too, she asked us if we would like to have lunch together. She and my nurse, Jenna, worked together to set up a table in my friend's room with a nice tablecloth. They even put a flower arrangement on the table! 

We were so impressed that they took the time out of their busy day to make us feel special. We got to eat lunch, talk and catch up. Words cannot express how much we appreciate their act of kindness!

Gifts to the Spirit of Compassion program are used to provide support for programs and services at Bethesda North. Learn more or make a donation.