Employee goes above and beyond to help patient in need

As part of SSM Health's Mission Week in our Wisconsin region, employees had the opportunity to nominate a staff person who made an impact at SSM Health beyond his or her basic responsibilities.

Kathy Sweger, a radiographer at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Janesville, was awarded the "Mission in Motion" award. Read the inspiring story of how Kathy went above and beyond for a patient, and is still keeping in touch with him on a regular basis. Congratulations, Kathy!

At St. Mary’s Hospital in Janesville, WI, our care delivery model – Relationship Based Care – provides us with the great opportunity to compassionately connect with and get to know the person before caring for the patient.

Recently, one of our radiographers, Kathy Sweger, met a young man who seemed to be a bit emotional and in need of more than just x-rays while he was visiting us. While speaking with this gentleman, Kathy learned that he was quite worried about how he was going to pay his hospital bill. Kathy quickly enlisted the help of a colleague, Tanya Skillman (CT Tech), and they researched how to submit for financial assistance through SSM Health. They provided this information to him, and continued talking with him.

It was then that they learned that he was not only homeless and living out of his truck, but that he eats just one meal per day. He was dressed in warm clothes, but did not own a coat… in the middle of winter in Wisconsin! The news was forecasting record low temps and wind chills in our area (down to -60 deg F) over the next week and Kathy was concerned for his safety. Using her own resources, she bought him warm clothing, including a winter coat, booked him a room at a hotel, and bought him a meal.
The gentleman was quite emotional over the gesture, stating that he had not slept in a bed or had a hot shower in over a year. (He reportedly slept for 15 hours that night!). This man does have a job but is working to get his finances in order.

The Janesville imaging team worked to find low-cost apartments for him and started pitching in to gift him with clothing and other items needed to get back on his feet. His goal is to soon have a place where he and his kids can stay, and so the team started collecting clothing for his kids as well. Kathy refused any repayment from this gentleman, but encouraged him to pay it forward once he was in a position to do so. Kathy and the Janesville imaging team are truly revealing the healing presence of God in Wisconsin!
 

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