Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Fall 2021

KEEPINGWELL — FALL 2021 Luis Gómez is a housekeeper and patient advocate at Methodist Hospital | South, who significantly impacts patients. Dur- ing COVID-19, he’s made a big impact on those suffering from the virus and their families. Luis is known for going above and beyond to spread joy, love, and smiles throughout the hospital. “As I clean the rooms, I talk to patients and add a little bit more joy,” said Luis, who has worked at the hospital for four years. “I try to make them smile and feel comfortable.” He does this by sharing small gifts that he purchases with his own money and carries with him in his pockets and on his cart; the items also reflect his faith and love for God. They include min- iature angel keychains, bookmarks with bible verses, prayer cards, and more. In December 2020, Maureen Stinson was admitted to Methodist Hospital | South with a diagnosis of COVID-19. With visitor restrictions, her family couldn’t be with her. This was especially hard during the holi- days for both Maureen and her children. Luis decided to deliver mini-Christmas trees and other small gifts to patients. Luis instantly formed a bond with Mau- reen. He brought Maureen one of the Christmas trees and a little stuffed bear on Christmas Day; she was pleased and Employee brings joy, comfort to patients at Methodist Hospital | South even told her daughter about it on the phone. “I love seeing people happy, and that was Maureen when she saw me,” said Luis. “She would tell me that no matter what’s going on in our lives, keep on smiling, keep on being yourself.” Unfortunately, Maureen passed in the hospital due to complications from hav- ing the virus. Before she passed, Maureen wrote a letter to Luis to thank him for his kindness, but she couldn’t give it to him before she died. “She told me, ‘I wrote you a letter,’ and I thought she left it in the room because I’m the one who was going to go clean the room. I never found it, though,” Luis said. Months later, Maureen’s daughter, Me- lissa Zeinert, came across the letter and immediately broke down in tears. The letter brought closure to her family. It proved that even when she and her family couldn’t be with her mom, her mom was well taken care of at the hospital. The letter addressed to Luis read, “Dear Luis, Thank you for the pretty ornament. I will treasure it always. You are extremely thoughtful. I love my little bear. I’m going to take good care of it. I love him. I’m so Todd Stinson (far left) and Melissa Zeinert (right), Maureen Stinson’s children, made sure that Luis Gómez (center) received the letter intended for him. Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospital 210-22-NURSE ( 210-226-8773 ) Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Weekends and major holidays. When your child has a medical need, Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospital has specially trained pediatric nurses to assist you with medical advice concerning your child. HealthBus andWellWaldo’sWheels 210-MHS-RIDE ( 210-647-7433 ) HealthBus for adults and Well Waldo’s Wheels for children and expectant moms provide transportation from your home to your doctor’s office or hospital and then pick you up later and take you home. This service is especially helpful for adults and children with special needs that require extra transportation assistance. For information on how to schedule a ride and specific hospitals and ZIP codes served, please call 210-MHS-RIDE . glad we met. My writing is not good be- cause of my hand that I hurt. Thank you again, Maureen Stinson.” The family decided that Luis should have the original letter. Luis shared that this is the first time a patient’s family has contacted him personally, and this experi- ence reaffirmed for him that he is where he needs to be. “This letter and what the family wrote to me made a difference in my life. God answered my prayers through all of this,” Luis shared. Medical Advice for Adults 210-575-0355 Available 24/7 Good to know SAHealth.com 5