Meriter's Mission is to Heal, Teach & Serve

Meriter's Mission is:
to heal this day
to teach for tomorrow
to embrace excellence always
to serve our communities-
for a lifetime of quality health care.

At Meriter, our mission is at the core of who we are as a health care system. We embrace it passionately and live it each and every day - because we know the difference it makes in the health and lives of those in our community.

We strive to heal our patients on every level. Whether that requires an advanced surgical procedure or a simple smile, we use the latest technology and highly compassionate care to help them achieve, restore and maintain an optimal state of health.

Not only do we teach our patients the skills needed to lead healthy lifestyles, we use our experience and expertise to guide future medical professionals on their path of learning. Empowering others through education is part of the mission that we live every day.

Our dedication to serve can also be seen in all that we do. At Meriter, we're committed to taking on the tough health care challenges and, in doing so, making our community a better place to live, work and play.

Below is an email that the ES Nurse Manager received from a staff nurse, one of the many stories that illustrates how our employees live the mission, as well as two television commercials that share with our community the importance we place on Heal, Teach and Serve.

This is a quick e-mail to let you know of a very positive episode in family centered care, that happened this morning here at Meriter ER.

A family presented to the ER triage desk, and the son, who spoke fluent English, explained to Brent, our Health Unit Coordinator, that his father had been seen at Meriter’s ER earlier that week, and they were requesting to revisit the room he was in for a cultural/spiritual purpose. A type of "releasing" ritual needed to be performed, and they requested access to the room.

While the Brent looked up what room the patient had been in, I spoke briefly with the family, and asked them to wait in the waiting room.  I approached the Judy, the Charge Nurse and briefly explained the request.  I also called Spiritual Care to come down and help us out.  Meanwhile, Judy arranged for the room that the patient had been in  to be cleared and cleaned.

David, the chaplain on call, answered my page right away.  He dropped what he was doing, and was down here in the ER in less than 10 minutes.  I was able to tell the family that we had looked up the room, and were preparing it for them. I also relayed that David from Spiritual Care had been paged, and was coming down immediately to meet with them, and make sure that their needs would be anticipated and met, to the extent that we were able.

David met with the family, and after the son had procured a branch from outside, the family was showed to room.  The chaplain, stayed with them. Their time in the room was very brief, 5 to 10 minutes, and then they left.

It was wonderful.  Not only was it interesting to learn about a spiritual practice unknown to me, but it was so satisfying to be able to accommodate this family, and do it in a respectful, prompt way.  The family was VERY appreciative.

Everyone involved was terrific.  Brent and Chris (HUCS) were efficient, anticipatory, and respectful.  Judy arranged for the room to be available, and was happy that she could do so.

David, the chaplain, was the BEST.  It was a luxury to be able to tell the family that one of our spiritual care practitioners was coming right down to assist them, and make sure their needs were acknowledged and met.  David has always been wonderful, and took this new challenge in stride.  He then stayed for a few minutes after, to explain the ritual and its meaning to me and Judy.

It was a pleasure to be at work this morning.

Sincerely,

Rachel, RN

Meriter Emergency Services

9/14/2009