Lincoln hospitals spread holiday joy to patients staying over Christmas
By ALYSSA JOHNSON – Lincoln Journal Star, Neb. (TNS)
Hospital holidays, 12.20
Tasha Ellis talks during an interview next to Bryan Health registered nurses (from left), Mike Roberts, Crystal Stech, Maddie Vidlock and Janelle Bray on Friday at Bryan East Campus.
An extended stay in the hospital can be a tough time for many, especially if that stay is over the holidays.
That’s why local hospital staff members are helping brighten the Christmas season for their patients this year.
At Bryan Health, nursing staff planned a little extra holiday cheer for Tasha Ellis, who has been at Bryan East Campus since the end of September after she had a stroke.
“I’m not used to being in a place for so long, let alone in a hospital. It bothers me,” Ellis said. “I wanted to go home to be with my son and they can’t get me to that point. I can’t even hold myself up to walk.”
Ellis moved to Lincoln to be closer to her son while she’s been undergoing dialysis. While her son visits when he can, Ellis said he often has to work, leaving the staff members to be her only visitors.
“The staff makes it easier,” Ellis said. “It does make me feel a whole lot better.”
The nursing staff, for example, recently brought in a Christmas tree, decorations and a few gifts to make Ellis’ room a little more festive and make the extended stay manageable for Ellis.
And Ellis’ nurse, Mandi Adams, even ordered some of Ellis’ favorite foods to the hospital through DoorDash.
Three days a week, Adams said the nurses have to wake Ellis up at 6 a.m. to eat breakfast before her dialysis begins.
“She was just distressed,” Adams said.
With a limited menu in the early morning, Ellis had few choices to pick from. So, instead of cornflakes, Adams ordered Lucky Charms and Golden Grahams for Ellis.
“The little things make a big difference and each of us has done a little thing that’s added up to a much better experience,” Adams said.
Mike Roberts, a registered nurse, said the extra holiday cheer helps the patients and the staff members.
“It’s a big holiday for family and friends to spend together, so when patients’ family members can’t come by for whatever purpose, it’s always nice to be able to spend it with the patients, so that way they get some enjoyment out of it, too, and gives us enjoyment because we’re here spending it with them,” Roberts said.
Hospital holidays, 12.23
Sharman Griffith (left) talks with CHI Health St. Elizabeth president Tyler DeJong, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at Bryan East Campus.
Each year at CHI Health St. Elizabeth, staff members hand out carnations to patients spending the holidays in the hospital. On Monday, the administrative team handed out more than 80 flowers and handmade cards.
Tyler DeJong, the hospital’s president, said it can be difficult for patients to spend Christmas in the hospital and away from loved ones.
“It’s a small way that hopefully we’re making a big impact on patients as they’re starting their holidays off in maybe less than ideal circumstances,” DeJong said. “It’s been a great tradition for the hospital and for our leaders and staff that we want to see carried on into perpetuity.”
The tradition started about five years ago during Thanksgiving when staff members’ family members would come to distribute flowers on Thanksgiving morning. The tradition has since spread to Christmas with cards made by local schools and church groups being distributed.
“I think the patients actually almost appreciate the cards a little bit more because they’re so cute and come with a little youthful sentiment,” DeJong said.
This year, DeJong’s daughter’s second grade class made 100 cards, with extras held on for patients who arrive during the week.
Hospital holidays, 12.23
Sharman Griffith reads a Christmas card given to her by the hospital staff Monday at CHI Health St. Elizabeth. The hospital’s administrative team handed out more than 80 flowers and handmade cards to patients.
DeJong handed out some of the carnations and cards in the general medical surgery unit Monday, where patients can stay for several days or even a month in their hospital room.
“There’s not a lot of other places you want to be besides home or maybe with family around Christmas, and so being in the hospital can be a tough, emotional experience for a lot of our patients as well,” DeJong said.
The gifts are also a way for the hospital’s staff members to connect with patients on a personal level.
“When handing these out, it’s not unusual for patients to ask you to pray with them or even just sit down,” DeJong said. “It’s not uncommon to spend 30 minutes in a room just hearing about each other’s lives.”
Patients aren’t the only ones spending their holidays in the hospitals, either.
“They’re making a sacrifice to be away from their families on these special days, but they’re doing great things for our patients,” DeJong said.
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