Thank You for All You Do: Living the Baptist Mission of Caring Every Day

I would like to say a special thank you to Baptist team members for all they do in our communities. They truly live our mission of healing, preaching and teaching every day. They take care of patients in the hospital and when they go home. They volunteer in their communities. And they continue to minister and care for the needs of others during the holiday season.

During this festive time of year, it’s easy to take a break from helping others and focus on your own personal needs and family. But I am often amazed by the way our team members make caring for those who have less a priority, even during the holidays. Many of our hospitals make arrangements early to adopt children and families in their communities for Christmas. They host holiday luncheons and celebrations for volunteers and other locals. They also share Christmas cheer through tree lighting ceremonies for those too sick to leave the hospital, or who live nearby.

Each year, our community relations department spearheads the Tree of Faith, Hope & Love donation campaign and holiday luncheon for the homeless in our community. This event is a culmination of their year-round efforts to help the homeless. They partner with Christ Community Health Services to provide free health care for those without permanent housing throughout the year at the Baptist Operation Outreach mobile clinic. This clinic has more than 6,000 patient encounters a year. And many of the clinic’s regular patients look forward to this event because it’s the one time of year that they feel special. Baptist team members do not shy away from showering this often forgotten group with gifts. Every year, they donate their time, money and resources to purchase well-needed items, help pack gift backpacks and serve lunch.

This is just a small list of the way Baptist team members care for others. They work tirelessly at their professions and then spend endless hours volunteering and helping others. I notice what they do all year long, but I feel compelled at this time of year to say, “Well done, team.” They make me proud to wear Baptist blue.