The coronavirus outbreak is providing inspiring examples of kindness.
Novant Health screening centers have received drive-by gifts of appreciation, including snacks, coffee and inspirational signs. Donations large and small have been delivered. Encouraging notes of genuine thanks – both handwritten and electronically – have lifted the spirits for many who are working extra hours in stressful conditions.
Here are some examples.
Snacks for the troops
Carrie Overcash, a volunteer chaplain at Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center, couldn’t perform her normal duties because visitor limitations in place at hospitals to prevent potential virus spread. But that didn’t dampen Overcash’s caring spirit.
She asked members of her congregation at Grace Lutheran Church in Thomasville to bring in snacks to help make sure team members at Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center were fed and knew they were being thought of.
“Within hours, I had more than 100 snacks delivered to my church office,” Overcash said. “We ended up delivering 500 snacks in two days, before the order came limiting travel. It was incredible to see my church respond. They’re really passionate about feeding people. It’s one of our core values. Not being able to be inside the hospital has been hard. I just wanted to do something to help.”
Muscle and medicine
Novant Health doctors Mark Higdon and C.J. Atkinson (see photo at the top of this story) were working at a drive-up COVID-19 screening station in Huntersville when a patient waiting to be tested had her car stall. She couldn't get the engine to restart.
So, Higdon and Atkinson sprang into action and pushed the car out of the line to a safe spot in the parking lot so it could be towed – then went right back to triaging drive-up patients.
Caped crusader fan gives thanks
One young patient at the Novant Health screening center in Huntersville recognized the hard work team members were doing. The child broke out a page of Batman stationery and wrote: "Thank you for checking us for not being sick. Thank you for being so nice."
Church groups reach out
Members of various Kernersville church groups have been bringing snacks to the Novant Health Kernersville screening site, some with heartfelt notes included. The church groups wanted to thank team members conducting the screenings for their hard work on the front line. One generous group even offered to bring propane heaters to keep the team members warm on chilly days.
Novant Health team members are on the front lines in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Novant Health Foundation has established a new fund dedicated to supporting our teams, as well as the overall response to the pandemic. Contributions will support team members and help fund testing and medication to support patient care, as well as medical supplies. To donate, click here.
