Dr. Joe Meyer, Quincy Anesthesia Associates, and Lexi Goodwin, RN, GI Surgery Center, received a Who’s Your Angel nomination from coworker and grandmother, Traci Lirely, RN, GI Surgery Center. The Foundation Office presented the Who’s Your Angel award on February 8.
Traci stated, “Fifty-six. Knox Cassens was here on this earth for fifty-six days and on January 9, 2024, he has been an angel for just as long. On November 14th as I was signing on to my work computer, getting ready to start the day, I received a phone call from my daughter. Unable to understand what she was saying I finally was able to decipher that her son/my grandson was not breathing. I immediately asked her to FaceTime me so I could show her and coach her and her husband how to do CPR.
Dr. Meyer heard this, as he was close by and Lexi, who had just walked into work, willingly stepped in to do this for me. Not only was this a relief for me not to have to do this, I realize that this was also difficult for them to do. I stayed close by and watched them coach/encourage both my daughter Torie, and her husband Devin, as they were visually/verbally able to help them until the ambulance arrived. (I might also mention that this was Lexi's first day in our department.)
Torie later told me that they made them feel as if they had been able to do everything possible for their son, Knox. I personally feel it was a "God" thing that both Dr. Meyer and Lexi were near when I received this call. The outcome was not what we had wanted or ever had a thought would happen, but there are those people who step up and make a difference... Angels. I want them to wear an angel pin and think of baby Knox and know how grateful all his family truly are!”
The “Who’s Your Angel” program is an opportunity for patients and their families to express their appreciation to anyone in the Health System who had a positive influence in their healthcare experience. When the donor makes a financial gift of any size in the name of the employee and writes up a story sharing the experience, the Foundation deposits the gift to the patient care area or restricted fund that most closely matches the employee(s) being honored or the reason for the patient’s time with the Health System. This donation was deposited to the Surgical Services Fund. One hundred percent of Foundation gifts are designated to caring for patients in need.
Any staff member can be nominated for a Who’s Your Angel award, and nomination forms can be found in a surplus of Health System departments from Palmyra to Hannibal, Pittsfield, to Golden and more! For more information regarding the “Who’s Your Angel” program, or giving of any kind to Blessing Health System, contact the Blessing Foundation at 217-223-8400, Ext. 4800, or go online to blessinghealth.org/angel