Shannon and Dean Adams: The Power of Compassion and Going Above and Beyond
September 7, 2023
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to forget the impact we can have on others. For Dean and Shannon Adams, however, compassion is an instinct and making a difference for others comes naturally.
One example of Dean’s kindness was shared by Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley while presenting the transportation specialist with the 2023 Nonclinical Employee of the Year Award.
“Dean purchased a cake and card to celebrate the end of treatments for a cancer patient,” said Baxley. “While taking her to and from her oncology appointments, he had learned the patient didn't have family in the area. His actions had the patient smiling from ear to ear and made that memorable day even more special for her.”
Dean, who transports patients, many of whom have sickle cell disease or require infusion services, to and from their medical appointments saw that act of kindness as “just part of the job.”
Read More: Offering a Solution When Finding Transportation Is a Problem
Shannon, director of the medical and pediatrics unit on the third floor of the hospital, has also been commended for going beyond what is expected for patient care. One colleague noted in a You Shine Through Award nomination that “she is a true definition of a great nurse leader who shows great empathy and compassion for patients and exudes our core values every day!”
Believing in the Purpose
Both Shannon and Dean firmly believe that their duty is to help others. “The Lord brought us here for a purpose and that's to help others. So, any opportunity that we get to do that, that's what we want to do,” Shannon said.
Whether it's remembering a patient's birthday or ensuring their comfort during their stay, they consistently go beyond their responsibilities to make a difference. Their unwavering dedication to improving the lives of their patients is remarkable and serves as an inspiration for all.
Going the Extra Mile
Last fall, Shannon and Dean, along with the help of colleagues and family, went the extra mile to help an elderly couple who were both hospital patients in Shannon’s unit. When the couple was admitted to Beaufort Memorial, they had been living in a hotel room because their rental property was sold and they couldn’t afford to rent anything else in the area. They were in a state of uncertainty and despair with the hospital as their temporary home.
Over the next six weeks, “the team took them in and treated them as their grandparents because they were so sweet,” Shannon said. “They were so appreciative of every little thing we did.”
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The wife was released from Beaufort Memorial, but her husband was in much poorer health and still needed medical care. When he was transferred to a long-term care facility in Walterboro, his wife struggled to find a place to live nearby. Showing their great compassion, many of the hospital staff who came to know these patients and understand their situation contributed financially to put the wife in a hotel nearby for many days.
On the day of the couple’s discharge, Dean noticed how emotionally and physically exhausted the wife was. Again, Dean and Shannon sprang into action and personally took this patient and settled her into a hotel near the facility where her husband would be treated. Shannon drove her personal vehicle with the wife as a passenger while Dean drove the patient’s vehicle to Walterboro. They made sure she had everything she needed: food, a full tank of gas and a cell phone to keep in contact.
Shannon and Dean both acknowledge the invaluable support of their teams at BMH. Together, they pooled their resources to assist a couple in need in so many ways. Many contributed financially, showing the incredible strength of unity and the impact it can have on those who are less fortunate. This demonstrates the power of teamwork and the willingness to extend help beyond the walls of a hospital.
“I would like to thank all of my staff because it was a team effort,” Shannon said. “They gave money to help, just loved on both of them and showed them great kindness and respect. They went above and beyond as well!”
Read More: Surrounding Patients With Positivity
Recognizing the Impact
Although Shannon and Dean don’t seek recognition for their actions, their coworkers have nominated them for several awards, including the monthly You Shine Through Awards and annual Bemmy Awards. In addition to Dean’s 2023 Nonclinical Employee of the Year Award, Shannon was the proud runner-up for the 2022 Leader of the Year Award.
“It was great to be nominated, but we weren't out there trying to win any kind of awards,” Dean said. “It was just something that we both felt that we should do.” Shannon added, “It did make us feel good to be recognized, especially because it came from our coworkers.”
These extraordinary efforts by Shannon and Dean Adams reflect our core values at Beaufort Memorial. We are grateful for the dedication and contributions of all our healthcare professionals, who, like Dean and Shannon Adams, provide exceptional care and assistance to our patients.
Shannon and Dean's story is a testament to the power of compassion in healthcare. Their selfless actions remind us that making a difference in someone's life is not just a job; it's a calling.
Are you compassionate by nature? Want the opportunity to make a difference in many people's lives? A career at Beaufort Memorial may be the perfect fit! View our current openings.