Employee Poems

10

Employee Name: Adrianne GasperEntity: SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - MadisonDepartment: Palliative Care

Presence: A BlessingI sit at your bedside. Looking from one face to the next.

I dole out Kleenex as the eyes overflow.

I settle under the weight of fear and sadness as we define new hope.

Celebrating life as the end draws near.

This is the humbling and beautiful journey I step in and out of.

These are the aching and longing hugs I bear witness to.

I press my palm to my heart. To keep it from spilling out.

Such a blessing is love, but at times a burden too.

No words are needed.

Only to share a space. To share a tear.

To experience divine presence.

11

Employee Name: Anu French, M.D.Entity: SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. LouisDepartment: SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatrics

Holy Encounter‘As I step over the threshold

I ask to be blessed

Into kind usefulness each day

As I wash my hands

I ask to be mindful

And motivational each day

As I brew my morning tea

I ask to be humble

Open, receptive each day

As I take the history

I ask to listen keenly

To the story each day

As I recognize the honor

I ask for the courage

To be connected each day

As I feel the healing

I ask for the clarity

To see the wholeness each day

As I tend the mind-body-spirit

I ask for surrender

To the sanctity each day

As I nourish and I flourish

I offer deep gratitude

For the privilege each day

 

My presence, holy moment

My journey, holy labyrinth

My office, holy space

My patient, holy encounter’

12

Employee Name: Cheri KainzEntity: SSM Health Dean Medical GroupDepartment: Clinical Scheduling Software

My Dad, My Hero, My Best FriendThe Lord has laid him down to rest,

The time has come; I must confess.

Dear Lord, please spare my heart,

Dear Child, I must spare his pain.

Dear Lord, please lengthen the day,

Dear Child, I must prepare for his stay.

Dear Lord, I pleaded; please don’t take him now;

My Dad, My Hero, My Best Friend,

The Lord replied…

Dear Child, he never left.

He lives in your heart and feels no pain,

He’ll shine upon you both night and day,

He’ll always be;

Your Father - Your Hero - Your Best Friend

Now and Forever

In Peace

AMEN

13

Employee Name: Cindy StenavichEntity: SSM Health Dean Medical GroupDepartment: Nutrition Services

We Need ToWe were born

One body,

from One God.

One life, shared

with all creation.

Born from Everlasting

Light and Love,

to share Light,

to share Love,

the best we can.

Our best

turns small

when we see ourselves

As one and one and one;

not One.

Our will a speck of sand

When separated

From the One Will

that turns all universes.

Can we put aside our fear –

that only shrinks and separates?

Can we reconnect with Love?

Love of God, love of self, love of other –

it’s all One Love.

We can.

We need to.

We need to - now.

14

Employee Name: Daydrian DurhamEntity: SSM Health – System ServicesDepartment: CBO

Life Staring at the sky, I sit and wonder

As the rain falls down and I hear the thunder

Looking for love in all the wrong places

Putting my trust in all the wrong faces

Singing my troubles note for note

Yearning for real love as I try to cope

Now the sun shines across my face

And I say to myself, “what is this place?”

What is this way, I’ve decided to live

How long will it last

How long can I give

Can this reality be a never ending dream?

Or is this dream more than it seems

I fell for a man who loves me to death

But I fear my independence will move him to the left

I opened my heart to a man once before

That man and I, are thankfully, no more

His hand, his words, his anger was unnerving

The stress, the pain , the hurt was not deserving

How far should I go to obtain true love?

Is it worth bruises, and scars?

A push and a shove?

My past has shown that this fight will never end

Not physically, but emotionally

The strain is still there within

My new found love is all that I need

His kindness, his beauty, his affection

I take heed

But how can I know if it’s I that he needs

Am I that woman he wants

That woman he seeks?

Sure, I am her

A good woman in the flesh

A woman who seeks greatness

In any man she posses’

With the strength of a lion

And a heart of gold

My life, as we speak

Is so far from old

As I Walk through the valley

I see sunrays and beautiful skies

Yet my soul can be cloudy

Like rain as it cries

But like all weather, life is bound to change

For better, for worse

It may even stay the same

For as long as I live, I will continue to speak

To my daughter, my loved ones

Never let your pain leak

Never have regret for the words that you say

Never change how you live for the one your with today

For tomorrow can bring something you never expected

These are my words, my life

And I will never regret it.

15

Employee Name: Deloris DuarteEntity: SSM Health Outpatient Center - Madison, WisconsinDepartment: Front Desk

Each OtherNo matter the type of day rain or shine…

Smiles that bring warmth and joy…

A simple gesture like a hug…

The holding of someone’s hand…

An ear to speak our mind to…

A shoulder to lean on when times are hard…

You never know what someone’s life is like one day, be this person to someone today, tomorrow and forever…

We all need the presence of one another from the older to the younger…

16

Employee Name: Jennifer HendrixEntity: Dean Health PlanDepartment: Provider Credentialing

Powerful PresenceThe power of each person’s presence is an incredible command. The ability to ease one’s tensions with a gentle touch to their hand.

How a simple smile, can take one’s worries away in the blink of an eye. Replacing the angst with lightness and love, it’s in endless need of supply.

The laughter and encouragement of another, a true blessing indeed. Individuals who offer belief, provide courage for another person to succeed.

The company of another can lift one’s spirits, when they can no longer stand. Constantly reinforcing as a community, we need to offer empathy to understand.

The heartbreak of missing a person’s existence when they are no longer here. Reminders to take care of and bid full attention to those in proximity, while they are near.

Each day a new chance to make a difference to impact another’s heart. Cherish the presence of others, every day is a good day to start.

17

Employee Name: June HertzlerEntity: SSM Health Dean Medical GroupDepartment: Human Resources

Watering the SeedsLoss can leave a hole in your heart that feels impossible to bear, but if you can keep your eyes open through the tears, you’ll see there are angels everywhere.

It doesn’t happen overnight, each day you still feel pain, but once again you’ll remember, that life is not in vain.

When we experience all the best, God has planned within our life; we stand to have the most to lose and suffer in that strife.

Angels come in different ways, different gifts they have to share; in time without even noticing, a part of you begins again to care.

There is a reason for everything, life’s events are not by chance, keeping that thought in mind, can keep you in the dance.

So live your life to the fullest, sharing your love, your gifts, good deeds; you will always be rewarded, if you keep watering those seeds.

Focus on the moment, don’t you miss a minute; for it’s all about the journey and the gifts He’s packed within it.

18

Employee Name: Karen GriffithEntity: SSM Health - Integrated Health TechnologiesDepartment: Clinical Hospital Systems

Hands of MercySome pictures hold a place so vividly in my mind, Especially this little girl I had to leave behind.

Her clothes were tattered and torn, I can only wonder how she was born.

Being a nurse and a mother, My heart says to help each other.

To have the presence of mind to feel for others is truly a gift, But this little girl’s burdens I could not lift.

I offered her my smile as she held out her hand. This was truly a world I could not understand.

Since I have returned to my wonderful homeland, I cannot forget this little girl and her outstretched hand.

I’m so grateful I can still take this picture out, And always remember that helping others is what it’s all about.

We must pray for world peace, and for those in need of food and shelter! God expects us all to help make the world better.

19

Employee Name: Lynne ZanderEntity: Navitus Health SolutionsDepartment: Prior Authorization Department

Mid JanuaryThe winding roads circle gently,

As I drive up here today.

Orbiting fields now abandoned

With scattered bushels of hay .

There’s a sound that I’m hearing

Floating out of the barn.

The heavy swing of your hammer,

A tiny glimpse of your arm.

This year winter came slowly ,

Then it quickly set in .

Without your tools steady motion,

Spinning gold out of tin.

I can sense you beside me

While I pan through the trees ,

To find traces of autumn

And branches with leaves .

You ask me why I didn’t visit

When they were brimming with color.

Because I never imagined ,

How much I’d miss you my brother .

20

Employee Name: Lynne ZanderEntity: Navitus Health SolutionsDepartment: Prior Authorization Department

Late OctoberThis is a poem for my brother thatI just never wrote, and it flowsThrough my mind as I put on my coat .

I’ll step out the door to go say myGoodbyes, but the songs’ not the sameAnd there is such pain in my eyes .

What beautiful phrases of words can I give,That in life went unspokenAnd we were unable to live .

So attached in some ways and so separate in others.What always remained,Was my love for you brother.

I wonder what I can give youSince you departed from earth,Except this gift from my heart that I’ve harbored since birth.

I remember swimming like vessels And ducking waves in the lake.Creating footprints in sandbars, And memories I’ll never shake.

21

Employee Name: Margie HessEntity: SSM Health Saint Louis University HospitalDepartment: Information Services

Contemplation of a Summer StormI sat and waited as dusk’s last silky shadows

Faded into the inky black of midnight

In the far distance, lightning left traces

Of transient glow while

Trees swayed and bowed in obeisance

twisted limbs brushed fingertips

eerily against my window

a tension crept thru the darkness

causing me to shiver

and huddle farther into the deep recesses

of my chair

outside the low moan of the

wind changed to the howling

rage of a wrathful tempest

rain burst from the heavens like

arrows hurled

from a vengeful warrior

the house shook from the thunder

window shutters beat

against their latches

adding their tempo

to the music of the downpour

and from the safety of

my favorite chair I passed

wonderful hours

watching nature’s

brilliant orchestration

a summer storm and

time spent

in awe of the God

who created it

22

Employee Name: Marilyn ReynoldsEntity: SSM Health Cancer CareDepartment: Hemotology/Oncology

Something for NothingThe old man living on the corner reaches out his hand,

you can hear the clink as the change hits the can…

He returns your smile,

as you continue on your way…

You smell the bakery on the corner,

and your favorite coffee shop,

and the workers there know how you like it piping hot…

The day is beautiful not a cloud in sight,

and you recall the presence of a higher power

that made the darkness light,

and life grows so naturally,

for all, for you, for me!

23

Employee Name: Mark NortonEntity: SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. LouisDepartment: Float Pool

Who Are You?Are you a farmer that plants seeds

doing all sort of small and great deeds?

Do others see you taking all you can as a weed?

Or do you reach out to bring life to those in need?

Do you leap at life like a frog,

Or wait till things come to your mouth like a hog?

Do you in life ever seek to grow

Or all say about you “He never knows”

One day will you have the world’s shortest epitaph,

Or forever will your legacy last?

24

Employee Name: Mary WelzEntity: SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. LouisDepartment: St. Louis Network Coding

Presence of SSM HealthWe want you to know our presence.

We are a people, some ordinary and some extraordinary.

While we gather in this place,

Your burdens we will carry.

 

We want you to know His presence.

He will love you, protect you, and heal your deepest pain.

He will hear your prayers of whisper,

They shall never be in vain.

 

We want you to know SSM Health.

For your today. For your tomorrow. For your lifetime.

25

Employee Name: Marylina ThorntonEntity: St. Anthony Physician OrganizationDepartment: North Urgent Care

SonlightEvery time it rains

I immediately think of the Son

And how He rose and shines in me

Without fail or hesitation

In the face of gloomy forecasts

When dark clouds hang around

I dare not fear

Because I know

alive inside of me

The Son’s light can be found;

Covering me

Calming me

Keeping me warm,

In spite of drafts of loneliness

stirred up by the storm.

And because I have the Son’s light in me

I’m not bothered by the rain.

Resting,

Relaxing,

Basking in His glow

Reclining in confident peace,

Enjoying the luxury of being loved

By LOVE that will never cease.

26

Employee Name: Matt ReadyEntity: Dean Health PlanDepartment: Customer Relations

PresenceA thousand hands guide a doctor’s touch,

A nurse’s bedside care;

It takes us all, and we do so much

It’s just like being there.

We focus on them, to help them heal,

So never doubt that the patients feel

Our presence, like a prayer.

27

Employee Name: Michelle HartmannEntity: SSM Health Medical GroupDepartment: Family Medicine – Rock Hill

The Good FightWe open our doors with each morning light

to take on your struggles, your pain and your plight.

We’re armed with knowledge, with books and with tools;

we fight the good fight - we’ll fight it for you.

Bring us your burdens, lay them in our hands,

we’ll carry the weight so you can relax.

No symptom’s too taxing, no worry too great,

we know it’s your health and your life that’s at stake.

With thermometers, stethoscopes and bandages galore

we offer you time, some comforts and cures.

We push and we poke and sometimes we squeeze,

we check top to bottom and all in between.

We measure, we watch, we ask things of you

so we can determine the best things to do.

We fill out your papers and sign your requests,

we recommend treatments and prescribe your meds.

We’ve studied and trained and prepped for these things

so while in our care you may breathe with ease.

We’re not just an office but part of a team,

a larger community, and we aim to please!

28

Employee Name: Nancee FoggEntity: SSM Health Medical GroupDepartment: Central Billing Office

PresencePeople are

Rare and beautiful

Expressions of

Special connections

Encountered in

New ways

Confidently aware of

Everyday miracles

29

Employee Name: Paul DeutschEntity: SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Jefferson CityDepartment: Mission Effectiveness

I Can CopeI have seen the Lord,

in the sorrows on your face,

In this place of pain,

A glimpse of God’s grace.

 

I have seen great strength,

in the moments that we share,

In your choice to live,

With hope, not despair.

I have seen healing,

despite answers not our choice,

Brokenness mended,

Faith that finds a voice.

 

Your life inspires me,

your story I gladly hear,

It says, “I can cope”,

When God draws us near.

30

Employee Name: Rachel RobisonEntity: SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s HospitalDepartment: Foundation

HandsWhen I look at my hands, I see

an extension of my body,

the expression of my spirit,

grounding another to a moment

by the power of a touch.

With my two hands,

I help,

I serve,

I console,

I heal,

by reaching out to others,

by sharing in their burdens,

and serving as part of the whole.

And in so doing,

I reveal God’s healing presence,

by honoring Him with the work of my hands.

31

Employee Name: Shirley OwensEntity: St. Anthony Healthplex - MustangDepartment: St. Anthony Physicians Group

The Presence of GodWith each morning, we are blessed to begin anew,

A fresh start to become a better me and you.

 

The presence of God thickens the air I breathe,

My heart is joyful because He is all I need.

 

Throughout my years, I came to know the wonderful feeling of grace,

The whisper in my ear, the gentle touch a cross my face.

The mighty presence of God that allows me to help another,

With a message, a prayer, a listening ear for a sister or brother.

 

Just knowing God’s presence is all around me,

Blesses my soul to be all He created in me to be.

 

May His presence also bless all of you,

32

Employee Name: Susan HonakerEntity: SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. LouisDepartment: Medical Imaging

Power of PresenceBeing Active

Actively Listening

Listening to the Spoken Word with Engagement

Engaging with Eyes, Ears and Body Language

Using All Senses to be Present in the Moment

Using the Moment to Care

Caring to be Active

33

Employee Name: Victoria ThomasEntity: SSM Health - System ServicesDepartment: Patient Billing Services

P.R.E.S.E.N.T.

https://youtu.be/BISqG37-58U

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