New "Book Cart" for Patients & Visitors

8/17/2012

Circle of Excellence (COE) members at Maria Parham Medical Center are a dozen employees-- nominated by their peers and chosen yearly--who exemplify Maria Parham’s Mission, Vision and Values. Some of the key words and phrases from those statements are ‘excellence’, ‘committed to improving the lives of ….the community’, ‘compassion’.  Each year the members seek projects to carry out either within the hospital or in the community, keeping in mind these principles.  A suggestion was offered to begin a “Book Cart”, which would run daily and offer patients and those waiting with or for them something more substantial to read than a magazine or a newspaper.

The COE members liked the idea and began to make plans to bring it to fruition.  A book drive was held within the hospital for the employees and volunteers to bring their unwanted books.  Hundreds of volumes, from mysteries, to romance, to Christian/inspirational, to those appropriate for children were brought in.  The books were carefully cleaned, sorted and affixed with a label, telling the recipient a little about how they came to be placed in their hands.

The Volunteer Services Department at the hospital purchased and donated a library cart to transport the reading material.  Nearly every day of the week, for a couple of hours, a hospital volunteer rolls the book-laden cart around to the waiting areas and patient rooms.  Patients, both young and old, and those with them are offered a book, which they are then allowed to keep.  Response from the recipients has varied---but all have been positive.  Some people are surprised to be getting something they don’t have to pay for, some people seem to be grateful to have something to take their mind off of the sick loved one they are sitting with, and some people just love to read so much they are eager to begin a new volume they haven’t read before.

Lee Anne Peoples, a member of the most recent COE class, thinks this project is a very worthwhile one.  “So many times, a tiny gesture, like offering someone a book to read, can mean a great deal.  It says to them that we care enough to make their time here just as pleasant as it can be.  It says to them we know the hospital setting is often stressful, and we care enough about them to offer a book, so their mind can take a little ‘breather’ from their situation.”  She continues by saying, “I am proud to say that I am a part of this COE project.”

 
About Maria Parham Medical Center, A Duke LifePoint Hospital
Maria Parham Medical Center, located in Henderson, NC, is a regional hospital serving the people of north central North Carolina and Southside Virginia.   As a Duke LifePoint Hospital, Maria Parham offers a combination of Duke University Health System’s world-renowned leadership in clinical excellence and quality care, and LifePoint Hospitals’ extensive resources, knowledge and experience in operating community hospitals.  Maria Parham offers a wide range of services and the latest technology to meet the healthcare needs of the community. It is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and CMS. For more information about Maria Parham Medical Center, please call (252) 436-1800 or visit www.mariaparham.com.