Despite Wednesday’s dreary conditions, matched by rising patient numbers at Medical Center Hospital, clergy and volunteers from local churches set out to make the day a little brighter for healthcare workers.
During a shift change from about 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 a.m., a group of about 15 handed out snacks and bottled water to all who entered and exited the facility.
The Revs. Rick Lopez and Dawn Weaks were stationed at two different spots outside MCH.
“We’ve been supporting the hospitals through this whole ordeal, bringing snacks and that kind of thing. But when the Medical Center press conference happened where they … let us know that they were at crisis level then I started talking to our elders, what can we do?” Weaks said.
Weaks co-pastors Connection Christian Church with her husband, the Rev. Joe Weaks, and Lopez is chaplain of St. John’s School and pastor of several Episcopal churches in Odessa.
“… We’re just here to let them know they’re not alone. We’re listening. We get it and we’re here holding the line for them,” Weaks said.
They offered water, snacks and gum, she said, because gum helps with the masks. They also received heartfelt thanks.
“… If you want to bless a healthcare worker, load them up with some gum, and of course, wear your mask because that’s the best way to silently say I support you and I understand the gravity of the situation,” Weaks added.
She added that she wished people could tour the hospital to see what’s going on.
“Somehow people think this isn’t real, but it is,” Weaks said.
She added that healthcare workers are living a trauma again.
“We have to care about that, or they won’t be able to care for us,” she said.
Lopez said Weaks called and asked if he would be interested in helping.
Registered nurse Kristen Patterson appreciated the boost.
“It’s great. We always need snacks. We don’t get much time for a break, so it’s always good,” Patterson said.
She had been off for the past couple of days, so “I’m kind of worried to get back to it, but I’ve heard it’s been pretty bad. It’s been pretty busy.”
Amanda Valdez, a unit clerk, said having support means a lot to her and her coworkers.
“… Every day we see patients and man it’s hard with the numbers going up, so even the little things mean a lot to us,” Valdez added.
Hannah Payne, who works in the critical care unit, said everyone appreciates the support from the local churches.
“I think getting up and getting into work every morning and seeing what we’re doing, or seeing what we have to see every day and being in the middle of the war zone takes a toll on everybody that’s impacted and involved; just seeing that the community is out here and loves us and is supporting us means the world to us,” Payne said.
J.R. Gaytan who works in wound care was glad to see the support as well.
“It means a lot to us. … It’s hard. It’s a tough situation now, but it definitely means a lot that the public is thinking about us,” Gaytan said.
He added that it’s been crazy at the hospital recently.
“But we’re going to get through it. We’ll get through it,” he said.
Asked how he is getting through it, he said prayer.
“Prayer is very powerful,” Gaytan said.
Beth Carrell, a volunteer from Connection Christian Church, said it’s heart-wrenching to see that the medical personnel has to go through this all over again.
“It just tears at my heartstrings and I wanted to show them that we so much appreciate them, their work, their service and support them 100% in this community,” Carrell said.
“I am a longtime member of the Odessa community and Odessa’s been so good to me, I want to give back,” she added.
