An Example of Living Our Mission and Values

NOTE: This patient gave us permission to share her story and words of appreciation. 

It’s not uncommon for us to get letters of thanks from patients, and I’m always appreciative of people taking time to share something about the care they have received.

Sometimes, though, these letters really hit you, like one I was made aware of that came from Melanie, a recent patient. At Mission Cancer + Blood, ALL patients are equally valued and cared for. Melanie was somewhat unique in that she happened to be a traveling medical professional who was far from home and dealing with a new diagnosis of cancer. This is tough news for anyone to hear, but I’ll let you read some of what she wrote. Melanie said:

“….you accepted me where I was and walked me through one of toughest journeys I have walked. You did not laugh at my worst-case ICU scenarios; in fact, you anticipated them and were ready with answers and reassurance.”

She continued by sharing that during their 40-plus years of working in top academic hospitals all over the country, she had seen it all – some good and some bad. However, Melanie expressed that “even the good ones are disjointed, patient dependent and slow.”

It made me feel so proud when she shared how that isn’t the case at Mission Cancer + Blood. Instead, Melanie complimented our people – who she referred to as being a “family instead of employees” that has one goal, the patient. 

This is a true testament to the people we have on staff at all levels, and it speaks to how we are making a difference in the lives of people. Melanie worked with Dr. Jawa and his care team who took the time to anticipate her needs and deliver on our core values with consistency.

By the time I reached the midway point of this letter, I thought it couldn’t get any better. And then it did. Melanie ended her message with this:

“You should all be very proud of what you have made – a center where people with cancer diagnosis can be enveloped with knowledge, warmth, support, laughter, and life. As far as I am concerned, it is one of the best places in the nation for cancer care.

You will be greatly missed and thought of often during my maintenance therapy years. My hope is that my new team is half as good as you all are.” 

Wow! The feedback speaks for itself, but it also ties directly to how important it is for all of us to fully live our mission and values, no matter the patient or diagnosis. 

Bottom line, in the words of the patient, we provided her with world-class, comprehensive cancer care and a personalized treatment plan in a compassionate and trusting environment – and our people demonstrated compassion, connection, integrity and ingenuity while doing so.

Congratulations to Dr. Jawa and team who helped make this happen, and a big thanks to the entire team at Mission Cancer + Blood, who walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to elevating the patient and living our mission and values on a daily basis!