QUALITY — Monday Motivational Meditation #416 — 2019-07-29

“Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have — life itself.”

Walter Anderson, 1903-1965

American painter and writer

QUALITY
by Ron Noecker

The desire to do something good for those I serve brings an effort to strive for quality. The willingness to provide not mediocre but exceptional service takes time and runs up against the many demands of caring for usually more than one person at a time. Willing to live in the tension between quality and velocity, I am reflective about how I can have both. My experiences are essential to distinctive care.

Excellence in care begins with a deep respect for each human person. Every person I meet gives me the chance to know something about myself. A desire to offer quality care provides for me the opportunity to learn what’s happening inside of me. As I’m providing a high grade of service, some insights come to me.

Many people who lean on me need help. My patients are in trouble, and I want to give superior, quality care. It will help them to know I will not forget them, and it will encourage them to embrace their fear and even, sometimes, their anger. My job is providing them a means to realize the choices they still have.

Divine Grace, open me to the path of high-quality kindness. I know it’s not a sheepish or timid presence but one that is alive and beaming with excellence that is required. Grace me to believe I am capable and give me the energy to know that quality care is vital in bringing health to others. AMEN.

ACTION: Describe the quality of the care you bring to others. How do you evaluate excellence? Make a list of 5 things that can contribute to continuing to improve the quality of the care you provide. Share the list with a colleague and see if they agree.

Learn more about the above photo by Rosanna McGarrahan below. Our thanks to Rosanna for use in this series called, “Holding the Tension.” Credit is given for the influence provided in “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown in these reflections. Learn more at BreneBrown.com.

Following on from last week’s report on the community of Pacoxpón, I am presenting one of the leaders who has impressed and inspired me consistently. He is passionate about improving the living and health conditions of his community and has the drive to make it happen.

	Don Ramiro and his son

Don Ramiro is of Maya Kaqchiquel descent and is the current leader of the health committee. He is currently studying social work at the University of Mariano Galvez of Guatemala and has been working closely with Nursing Heart in the production and execution of the Community Empowerment pilot program, started with Johns Hopkins University in January this year.
At 15 years of age, Ramiro Tay was orphaned by the consequences of the Civil War-Internal Armed Conflict that Guatemala experienced. Since then he has participated in community development processes, participating in the Local Development Committees, managing projects of Safe Drinking Water, Schools, Road Improvements, Introduction of Electricity, Local Reforestation, and Construction of Cisterns for rainwater collection, all to improve the health and development of his community

This program, run in partnership with us and the community leaders, follows up activities and education sessions to improve the health of the residents and the conditions of the community to reduce the effects of poverty and improve their living conditions. Due to the lack of assistance and lack of social investment on the part of the Guatemalan State, without this support, the community would not receive any external assistance.

It is empowering to see strong leaders like Don Ramiro in these communities. Our goal is not to dictate the program, but to work in conjunction with the community, to listen to their expressed needs and concerns and support them along this journey.

Co-written by César Santos

Jade Parker-Manderson & the ACE team
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Support Nursing Heart by becoming a donor. As little as $5 a month (over 12 months) supports ONE community empowerment session.

“A tension exists between efficiency and quality.”

Amelia Sizemore
Clemson University Nursing Student
Clemson, South Carolina

Rosanna L. Kunkel McGarrahan is retired now after a long and varied work life. She writes,”I worked for Washington State, spent 8 years in the Air Force as a Chinese Linguist, and then nearly 27 years as an oncology nurse. I have always loved to travel, beginning with a year in Japan during high school. I love to see new places and make new friends. I still have my best friends since first grade. My friendship with my English Penpal has also lasted nearly 55 years. People say that I have a ‘passion for life.’ I just like to live life to the fullest and still have a long ‘bucket list.’ As exciting as my life has been so far, nothing compares to holding a newborn grandchild in my arms for the first time.