Carrie Webb has worked in the Endo/IR Recovery Department since we opened in March 2012. Previously, Carrie worked in the Surgery Department, and has been a Franciscan employee since 1996. Carrie brings fun and joy to just about everything she is a part of. Carrie represents the Endo/IR Rec Department as chairperson of the Sunshine Committee.

Carrie loves Halloween; it is her self-proclaimed favorite holiday of the year. So in true Endo fashion, we planned a party for the day. Carrie and the Sunshine Committee organized a pumpkin decorating contest. The entire unit displayed our crazy pumpkins with over 20 contestants. They decorated the entire unit, and had activities for children including: cookies treat bags, activity tables with gooey blind stations - where kids could put their hands in buckets with different kitchen items that were labeled as gooey appropriate names (i.e. banana chips tagged 'scabs'). We had so many kids in and out throughout the day. It was uplifting for not only our staff but the parents of those children coming in. Shortly after our party we received an email about a woman and her two girls who came into the party. The story stated that their dad was an inpatient at the hospital, he wasn't doing well, and this was the only Halloween and trick or treating that these children got to have.

Of course we passed this story on to the department and in true Carrie fashion, she brought the idea to adopt the family for Thanksgiving. We found out shortly after the father passed away. He was the main income for the family as the mother, worked part time at the children's school. Carrie with her committee came up with the idea to raise money on the unit in a fun way. They created a pie contest where they decorated 3 urinals with the Manager and 2 PCCs on the front. All were encouraged to donate money to the person they wanted to have pied. We raised over $200 that was given to this family.

Next came Christmas, and Carrie was hurt for this family as it would be their first Christmas without dad. Carrie worked endlessly to find out what the girls needed including sizes and interests. In the end the Endo tree was full of presents for this family. I went with Carrie to deliver the presents. We met mom at the door and she was thankful from the minute we entered. Carrie had her Santa's hat and big smile as she placed each present under their tree. We brought presents in by the armful as mom sat there with her jaw dropped. Carrie and mom talked about dad and how hard it had been on the girls so far. They talked about how wonderful of a man he was and that the girls were having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. I was so moved during the entire time, not only to be a part of the giving but to witness Carrie listening and supporting mom. I felt that it was exactly what both of them needed. Carrie and mom ended the day with a tear-filled hug and we left the house. Just knowing that those girls would be coming home from school any minute to see the Christmas tree, which was empty that same morning, full of presents was a true testament of our Franciscan values in practice.

This is an example of what Carrie does each and every day. She saw an issue and worked in her powers to truly make a difference. Carrie shows true compassionate concern to her coworkers, patients, visitors, and even people she doesn't even meet. Carrie has such a huge heart. She helped the entire department to keep in mind the true Franciscan spirit of give love and support to those truly in need.