It’s important to Ascension St. Vincent’s that every patient has someone to lean on. Healing is just as much rooted in love and compassion as it is in clinical expertise. Aside from our award-winning medical team, many other members of the Ascension community play vital supporting roles with our patients. This past Christmas, Chaplain Rick Crook visited a woman who was facing one of the hardest moments of her life.

“I was immediately struck by the young age of the patient,” Chaplain Crook said. “It was not the typical age range of someone I normally encounter in this unit.” 

Within minutes of sitting down with her, he learned she had a history of hardship: loss, familial estrangement, financial hardship, unemployment, and homelessness. And now she was awaiting open-heart surgery two days before Christmas.

“I held space so the patient could share her story,” he said. “It was important for her to finally experience what it’s like to have someone actually listen.”

Eventually, Chaplain Crook asked her if she would like anything to help her pass the time. She expressed an interest in inspirational reading and coloring, but she no longer had her reading glasses. Chaplain Crook was on a mission to help.

With no luck finding glasses in the hospital’s office, he headed to a local store. In minutes he found the right strength reading glasses, but as he was on his way to the register, something else caught his eye. It was a festively dressed reindeer with an oversized snout and antlers. It was silly. And it was perfect.

Chaplain Crook grabbed a Bible, a crossword puzzle book and some other items to complete the assortment. When he entered the room, her eyes lit up and laughter filled the space that had once felt so heavy.

“As nice as the Bible was, it was no match for the disproportioned reindeer,” he said. “While money cannot buy happiness, it certainly contributed to a happy moment.”

In the days that followed, the patient underwent successful heart surgery. Through it all, the reindeer never left her side. A few more visits from the Chaplain post-surgery were filled with lighter conversation and signs of a spirit renewed.

The skilled surgeons at Ascension St. Vincent's repaired her heart, yet it was the simple moment of being seen, being heard – and  a reindeer named George – that restored her hope.

That is what you will find when you walk through the halls of Ascension St. Vincent's: healing offered with hope. From patients in our hospital and clinics to community members who step onto one of our Mobile Health Outreach buses or attend a class with Brighter Beginnings, we believe that true healing touches not just the body, but the spirit.

Reindeer and reading glasses, $23. Renewed hope, priceless. And with your support, it's a gift we get to give every day.