Message from the President

I met Melissa for the first time in the community room at Lakeland Hospital, Niles. We had just concluded the last session of Lakeland Live and were standing around in the back as team members returned to work.

She approached me with a very broad, and very perfect, smile.

Debra Johnson was beside her and asked me if I had time to listen to a story. Of course, Debra knew what my answer would be. I always love to hear stories.

Melissa started by saying, “I love working at Lakeland!”

I responded, “Great!” and continued with, “Why?”

Melissa beamed as she answered, “My Lakeland family gave me this smile!”

She continued her story. Melissa has been working for Lakeland a little less than two years. She took a job in the environmental services department and worked nights. As a single parent with two children she hoped to find a day job. A role as a nursing assistant seemed to be a good fit for her and she traveled to Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph for additional training.

Melissa loved her new role as a nursing assistant but felt very self-conscious about her teeth. It interfered with her confidence and her self-esteem. In fact, Melissa even considered wearing a face mask to make it easier for her to care for her patients without the fear of them being distracted.

Eunice, a lovely Niles volunteer, apparently noticed Melissa. She pulled her aside and asked Melissa if she ever thought about having a dentist fix her teeth. Melissa had thought about it but didn’t feel like she had the necessary resources.

Eunice promised to help and asked Melissa to find out how much it would cost. As Melissa returned to her work a team member noticed the tears in her eyes and asked her what was wrong. Melissa shared how touched she had been by Eunice’s compassion and generosity.

Before long, Melissa’s team, with help from Eunice, had raised $1,450. That was more than enough for a down payment on a new set of teeth.

As I reflected on that very inspiring story, Melissa interrupted: “But that wasn’t the first time.” She went on to describe how shortly after she started at Lakeland in December of 2015, her team knew that she was struggling and bought both her and her children gifts and clothes so they could have a better Christmas.

Melissa’s story is not over; it’s just beginning. She graduates this week from Lakeland’s School at Work program. She and about a dozen other team members are completing a training program to help ensure they have the best chance possible to succeed at Lakeland, succeed with additional education if they are interested, and succeed at life.

My heartfelt thanks go out to volunteers Eunice Jensen and Judi; the endoscopy team: Grace Gordon, Becky Martin, Marla Norton, and Kristi Palmisano; the pre-operative/recovery team: Melissa Camp, Brina Irwin, Tiffany Prosser, Linda Russell, Cathy Steven, and Martha Vogel; Niles nutrition services team member Jennifer Florey; and Drs. Wendell Hyink, Daniel Judge, Deborah Habenicht, and Laurence Habenicht. You have lived the Lakeland Mission. You have exemplified the Lakeland Traits. You have brought your hearts to work, and you have made Lakeland a better place, and a more loving place, to work.

If you would like to read more of Message from the President, click here.