Email from Memphis Morning Center executive director

Following is the text of a recent email from Memphis Morning Center’s Executive Director Camille Clark:

Yesterday, we had two girls show up at the same time for their appointments, which were scheduled an hour apart. One was a patient that needed to pass her second drug screen. I walked in after they both went to the restroom … Davin, our Certified Nurse Midwife, suspected that they were trying to go together so they could swap samples. She laid down the law—lovingly, but firmly. She informed them that they had to leave a specimen before she would see them, and only let them go to the restroom one at a time after that. I loved that she had the instinct to see what was going on, that she cared enough to hold them accountable, and then she went on to conduct their appointments in a normal manner.

While I’m sitting there working and trying to be invisible but observant, I listen to Angela, our Administrative Assistant. She goes over EVERY PAGE of our new-patient paperwork with the second patient. It’s quite a task. And, she explained it all very well. She asked our patient if she could pray for her. That conversation carried on into what both ladies had been praying for on their own—just a normal conversation. Sporadically, Angela would ask them questions about what they were eating and how they were feeling (we have some nasty viruses going around here). She reminded them to eat well and take care of themselves. She looked up bus routes for them. She looked up and called the food bank to try and help them. I love that Angela talks with patients about everyday things and encourages them. The patients are comfortable around our staff. They don’t feel like anyone is looking down on them. I just wanted you all to know how proud I am of the Memphis staff.