We’re Celebrating Our Team During Coworker Appreciation Week

Mary Heller, a speech language pathologist at the Infirmary, was named a Service Hero for displaying the value of COMPASSION.

Mary was nominated for the compassion she showed a young quadriplegic patient.

She spent countless hours researching an electronic Augmentative Communication Device for the patient so he could communicate with his family and staff using eye gaze. She even made arrangements to borrow and personally pick up a device. On her day off, she attended a conference so she could learn more about a possible out-of-state rehab center for the patient.

Sadly, the story takes a sad twist. The patient passed peacefully, surrounded by family and compassionate nurses. Clearly, Mary had a connection with this young man, as she mentioned she woke up in the middle of the night when he died and couldn’t go back to sleep.

“I cannot think of someone more deserving of this award. Mary is a highly respected Speech/ Language Pathologist who has provided quality care to her patients/families over a very long career of almost 35 years – all at CHI St. Vincent.”

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