The Big Picture
At CommonSpirit hospitals, human kindness is more than a guiding idea—it’s part of how people experience care. Dena Eckardt says the close-knit culture at her hospital helps staff know one another and welcome patients as part of the Holy Cross family.
What’s Happening
Eckardt describes a workplace where it’s common to walk down the hall and greet housekeepers, cafeteria staff, nurses and colleagues from other departments by name. That familiar, welcoming environment shapes how the team cares for patients: staff want every person who comes through the doors to feel welcome and cared for as they would care for their own family.
Why It Matters
A hospital visit can be an unfamiliar or difficult experience. A personal greeting and a team that treats patients with warmth can help people feel seen and supported. For Eckardt, the sense of connection among caregivers is central to creating that experience—and to making sure patients know they are part of the community around them.
The Bottom Line
Human kindness lives in the everyday moments: knowing colleagues by name, welcoming patients and caring for each person with compassion. As Eckardt puts it, patients are part of the Holy Cross family—and the team wants everyone to feel that care.