“I do a lot of walking around the hospital,” said Donald Wilkins, a patient ambassador at Texas Children’s Hospital Medical Center campus and a 2017 Caught You Caring award recipient. “I average anywhere between 15 to 20,000 steps a day.”
While Donald’s job requires him to spend a lot of time on his feet, he wouldn’t have it any other way. As a patient ambassador, Donald always looks out for his patient and their families’ well-being. He provides updates, information and general reassurance for patients and their families involved in the perioperative process.
“When patients come in for surgery, they are anxious about what to expect during and after their procedure,” said Becky Hanson, patient care manager at PACU West Tower. “Donald is a very compassionate person. He listens and empathizes with our patients and families, ensuring their questions and concerns are addressed.”
Besides caring for patient and their families, Donald also assists the physicians with family communications and provides support to the admissions staff when they need clarification regarding patient classification. He plays an essential role in making sure that all of the operating rooms at West Tower run smoothly.
“His outgoing personality and can-do attitude makes Texas Children’s a better place for our patients and their families,” Hanson said. “Donald is just one of those people that you always want to have on your team, and is well deserving of the Caught You Caring award.”
Launched in 2015, Texas Children’s Caught You Caring program is a systemwide program that recognizes employees for going above and beyond to provide compassion and kindness in the care of a patient, family or co-worker. Last month, Donald was among more than a dozen employees who received a pair of tickets to watch the Houston Texans Play 60 game, after being recognized for his acts of kindness through this program.
Texas Children’s wants to continue to recognize those who take great pride in the work they do and encourages patients, families and employees to catch someone who is making a difference.
To nominate a colleague, Caught You Caring boxes and cards can be found across the Texas Children’s hospital system for patients and families to fill out. Employees can fill out a Caught You Caring form on Connect. Cards and online submissions will be distributed to leaders for staff recognition.
For the next three weeks, Connect will feature a series of Caught You Caring videos spotlighting several of our employees who have gone above and beyond their role in the care of our patients and their families.