At Emerson Hospital’s Compassionate Caregiver Award event held recently, two individuals were honored for their devotion to patients and for consistently providing compassionate care. Nominated by their colleagues, the late Marvin Kendrick, MD, received Emerson’s highest honor for patient care, along with Christa Pineda, RN, a long-time nurse at Emerson.
Dr. Kendrick was a beloved cardiologist at Emerson Hospital for more than 40 years until he passed away in September 2016. A resident of Stow, Dr. Kendrick often said, “The man who loves his job never goes to work.” Described by many of his colleagues and patients as an icon at the hospital, he took great care in getting to know his patients in their full humanity, not just in their medical pathology. One patient said, “We know that in our hour of need, Dr. Kendrick will be there for us.” Indeed, until the time he passed away, he was an omnipresent physician at Emerson at night, visiting his hospitalized patients and providing wisdom to his colleagues. When he wasn’t treating his patients, he was often found in the hospital’s medical library, researching the latest treatments and keeping up with world news.
“My family and I gratefully accept the Compassionate Caregiver Award given by Emerson
to my late husband, Marvin H. Kendrick, M.D.,” said Kathy Kendrick. “His purpose, and our support of that goal, was to give superlative care to his patients. We understood that his patients must come first. The incredible thing is that he was also totally present and available to us at all times. Thank you to all who have paid this very meaningful tribute to Dr. Kendrick.”
Christa, a resident of Gardner, began her career at Emerson in 2004 as a registered nurse. She currently works as the Resource Nurse for Emerson’s general medicine floor and often cares for the hospital’s youngest patients. Christa’s colleagues describe her as a “voice of action and calm. She takes the time to explain every step to her patients and she alleviates fear with a gentle touch. She gives love to anyone who needs it.” Her supervisor says she is, “A true teacher and cheerleader who is a humble and kind sounding board for her peers. She provides the highest level of kindness and care that every patient deserves.”
"I am incredibly touched to receive this award," said Christa. “I love working at Emerson with my amazing colleagues and inspiring patients. I couldn’t imagine being the type of nurse I’ve always wanted to be anywhere else.”
“When it came to choosing this year’s Compassionate Caregivers, Dr. Kendrick and Christa were the obvious honorees,” said Christine Schuster, President and CEO, Emerson Hospital. ”They epitomize what compassionate care means to patients and how it makes a lasting difference in their medical care at Emerson. “Christa is renowned at Emerson for treating patients kindly, gently and with respect. In many ways, she carries on Dr. Kendrick’s inspiring legacy of true compassion.”
Emerson Hospital's annual Compassionate Caregiver Award was established in 2004 and recognizes compassionate care as exemplified by the late Terry Croteau, a social worker at Emerson who made an exceptional difference in the lives of her patients and co-workers. All hospital employees, medical staff and volunteers involved in caring for patients and their families are eligible to receive the coveted award.
The concept for the award grew out of Emerson’s involvement in the Boston-based Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. The Terry Croteau Compassionate Caregiver Award is sponsored by Emerson’s Schwartz Rounds Committee, which recognizes and supports those who provide exceptional patient care in their daily practice. Leaders of the Emerson community presented the awards to the honorees while colleagues, family members of the award winners, and patients attended.
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Emerson Hospital is a multi-site health system headquartered in Concord, Mass., with additional facilities in Sudbury, Groton and Westford and an urgent care center in Hudson. The 179-bed hospital provides advanced medical services to more than 300,000 individuals in 25 towns. To learn more, visit www.emersonhospital.org.
