BY: MARGUERITE STAPLETON
Ms. Stapleton is vice president, mission effectiveness, Sisters of Charity
Health System, Lewiston, ME.
A Maine System Emphasizes Its Sponsor's Mission in All Aspects of Its Work
SUMMARY The Sisters of Charity Health System, Lewiston, ME, a member of Covenant
Health Systems, Lexington, MA, remains deeply committed to the mission
of service begun by its foundress, St. Marguerite d'Youville. Although
St. Marguerite experienced a hard life, her resilience and her commitment
to the poor and disadvantaged serve as an inspiration to those who continue
her legacy of compassionate care. The founding work of St. Marguerite and the sisters has helped to foster
a culture in which the mission of service thrives among the system's
2,000 employees. This culture can be attributed to two things: the system's
organizational values of compassion, stewardship, respect, and excellence;
and the recognition of those employees whose work embodies these values. From the boardroom to the patient room, mission is integrated into each
decision and action. Every two years, each of Covenant Health System's member facilities
engages in a mission assessment process that examines various aspects
of mission, including Catholic identity, holistic care, care for the poor,
mission values integration, ethics and employee relations. In addition,
the Sisters of Charity Health System's board has its own standing
Mission and Community Committee, which looks strategically at how creatively
and faithfully the system is continuing to live its mission. |
"Mission," "mission-centered," "mission-driven,"
"mission-minded," "mission-focused," "mission effectiveness,"
"mission integration"—these mission words and phrases abound
in Catholic health care, and new ones are created almost daily. Underlying them
are the deeper realities of faithfulness to the healing ministry of Jesus, Catholic
identity, the charisms of the founders, and the legacy of religious orders.
In the minds and hearts of ministry employees, these realities tend to be articulated
in plain words that reveal deep understanding. When employees were asked, "What
is it about working here that keeps you coming back, day after day, week after
week, and—for many—year after year?" some of their answers were:
- We are committed to "making a difference" every day.
- We live our commitment to the community—both locally and globally.
- Decisions here are based on our mission.
- The sisters' work continues in us.
- Here we are able to express our spirituality.
- We care for the poor and needy.
- I am proud of what we stand for.
- There is congruence between my values and the organization's values.
- People here are all treated the same—whether you're a housekeeper
or a physician.
- I have a sense of being "called" to work here.
- We quietly go about doing our good deeds.
- We do the right thing.
- We are caring and faithful.
- This organization supports a balance between work and life.
- The diversity here is very important to me.
- Decisions here are made at the lowest possible level.
These are the words of employees of Sisters of Charity Health System, Lewiston,
ME, a member of Covenant Health Systems, Lexington, MA. The organization is a
descendant of Maine's first Catholic hospital, which was founded in 1888
by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, to meet the needs of the
growing immigrant population of French Canadians who had come south to work in
the city's then-flourishing shoe and textile factories. In the beginning,
the sisters' work included the hospital, orphanages for both girls and boys
(which also functioned as boarding schools for immigrants' children), and
full care for the elderly.
Today, the system includes St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, a 233-bed
acute-care hospital with comprehensive psychiatric and behavioral services;
St. Marguerite d'Youville Pavilion, the largest nursing home north of Boston;
Maison Marcotte Independent Living, 128 senior apartments; Community Clinical
Services, physician practices with more than 60 employee-physicians; and several
group homes.
The founding work of the sisters, who were known for doing whatever the community
needed, thrives today among the system's 2,000 employees, who have a deep
and abiding sense of mission. The work thrives even though only two sisters
of the founding community are employed by the system. In this article, I hope
to show how the sisters' legacy continues to be carried out.
Mission Rooted
Our mission was begun by St. Marguerite d'Youville, the foundress of
the Sisters of Charity, the Grey Nuns. St. Marguerite's story resonates
with many of our employees. She was married to an alcoholic. After having given
birth to six children (two of whom survived), she was widowed and left, a single
mother, with her husband's debts. Even so, she remained deeply committed
to the poor and needy.
Many of our employees are surprised to learn that a saint dealt with the same
issues they themselves face today. We tell St. Marguerite's story over
and over. The first telling occurs in a two-hour session that begins a three-day
employee orientation—our deliberate effort to "put first things first."
Every year, we honor four employees who exemplify each of our organizational
values: compassion, stewardship, respect, and excellence. These honors, which
we call our Marguerite d'Youville Awards, offer us another opportunity
to tell her story, as do our annual awards to four individuals or community
organizations that we recognize as possessing these same values.
In addition, we occasionally provide information for local children who have
chosen St. Marguerite as the topic for a class assignment on heroes and saints.
The sisters wisely commissioned a book for children on St. Marguerite's
life.
Mission Lived
Sisters of Charity Health System remains deeply committed to the heart of
St. Marguerite's ministry to the poor and disadvantaged. Our president
and CEO, James E. Cassidy, is often quoted as saying that it is not enough for
us to care for the poor who come to us. We are, he says, mandated by the sisters'
legacy to go out into our community and find those who are poor and help them.
As a result, our system undertakes a wide variety of charitable programs as
an expression of this mission. For example, our newest physician practice is
located in the heart of downtown Lewiston, where many of the needy live. In
the same area, we have acquired the Good Shepherd Food Pantry, where last year
we provided food to 26,264 people (580,072 pounds of food).
Our four School-Based Health Centers reach another underserved population in
our community; the centers provide preventative health care, health education,
treatment for minor and acute illnesses, immunization, sports physicals, mental
health services, and other services. This year we sent our 11th team of employees
and community members to Haiti, where they spent 10 days learning about a Third
World nation and helping with medical care (team members work in nutrition centers,
emergency departments, and operating rooms). In addition, 27 of the system's
employees and six of its departments are sponsoring Haitian children who are
pupils in schools run by Grey Nuns. Through a monthly donation, sponsors provide
books, uniforms, and lunches for these children.
Mission Supported
A good test of how well supported mission is in any organization is the
extent to which it is emphasized in the budget and the strategic plan. Our budget
reflects a deep commitment to the poor. Over the last four years, we have provided
over $4.3 million per year in free care for people who have no coverage. Our
strategic plan refers to mission specifically in goals like the following:
- "Ensure direct access to quality healthcare, disease prevention and health
promotion services for potentially underserved populations.
- "Actively participate in outreach activities that promote the common
good of underserved members of our community.
- "Generate the financial resources necessary to meet our Mission objectives.
- "Create a culture that supports all dimensions of wellness: physical,
spiritual, intellectual, social, occupational, and emotional."
Mission Celebrated
Humans tend to celebrate what they regard as important in their lives—anniversaries,
birthdays, holy days, and holidays. Celebrating mission is no exception. For
this, our organization has chosen the liturgical feast of St. Marguerite, October
16, creating an entire Mission Week around that date. Over the years, the week
has grown organically. It currently begins with a special Mass in honor of St.
Marguerite, to which the local clergy is invited (the bishop sometimes presides).
A choir composed of system employees and other members of the community participates.
The Mass, which is bilingual, honors the organization's French-Canadian
roots. The four recipients of the annual Marguerite d'Youville Awards are
honored prior to the dismissal rite. The following morning, a special breakfast
honors all nominees, showing that being nominated by a co-worker is in itself
an honor. Throughout the week, a "Daisy" cart finds its way around
the organization, giving employees an opportunity to purchase (at low cost)
small items to honor co-workers for how well they live mission. An employee
might, for example, buy a daisy (marguerite means "daisy" in
French) or a token for a cup of coffee.
Also on the cart are blank certificates. By writing in a co-worker's name,
employees can draw attention to his or her good work. During the week, hundreds
of these certificates are proudly displayed in work areas or lockers. The cart
also offers thank-you cards, coffee mugs, and framed pictures of St. Marguerite.
Mission Week ends with an all-day auction and raffle whose proceeds are divided
between two funds, one for local patients, residents, or employees in need,
and one for Haiti. The latter money is used to purchase medical supplies and
medicines for that country. In 2004, the auction and raffle netted $34,000.
One employee described that day as the one "she looks forward to the most
all year."
Mission Examined
Although it is the responsibility of the system's board, CEO, and senior
leadership team to hold all things to the light of the mission, a Mission Advisory
Committee participates as well. This group of 32 people, representing both management
and staff, meets monthly to ensure that mission remains vital throughout the
organization. The group manages the Mission Week activities and oversees the
work of the Caring Funds Committee, which distributes money to the local needy
(and is also available to patients, residents, and employees who are in a crisis
situation). This Caring Funds Committee also oversees access to the organization's
"Gift of Time," a "bank" of earned time donated by employees
for co-workers in need.
Every two years, each of Covenant Health Systems's member facilities engages
in a mission assessment process that examines various aspects of mission, including
Catholic identity, holistic care, care for the poor, mission and values integration,
ethics, and employee relations. In addition, Sisters of Charity Health System's
board has its own standing Mission and Community Committee, which looks strategically
at how creatively and faithfully the system is continuing to live its mission.
Mission Shared
One way the system shares its mission is by sponsoring what we call "Pilgrimages
to Montreal," during which we "walk in the footsteps" of St.
Marguerite. Board members make the four-day trip annually; employees can go
along if they wish. The pilgrims visit St. Marguerite's birthplace, a museum,
the original Grey Nuns's hospital, and a soup kitchen in Montreal. Grey
Nun historians and storytellers are eager to share their love for their foundress.
The pilgrims always return with a renewed sense of their role in continuing
the charism of the sisters.
Mission Advanced
A conscious commitment to spirituality in the workplace is part of our organization's
mission. Each year, all employees are given the opportunity to attend a "Work
Sabbath." This is a paid workday during which participants attend a retreat
at a nearby lakeside center. During the retreat, they look at the meaning of
work and the spirituality of work. On any given Work Sabbath, the group comprises
both new and long-term employees, men and women, and management and staff. Employees'
appreciation for this day is evidenced by their willingness to encourage co-workers
to attend and their requests for follow-up Work Sabbaths for themselves.
Meanwhile, daily prayers reflecting a variety of faith traditions are sent
to all employees via e-mail (the prayers are also posted for staff who lack
access to e-mail). We have been told that some employees are creating personal
prayer books made up of their favorite prayers. Other employees have asked that
prayers be sent to their home e-mail addresses so that they can include them
in their private prayer time. Recently, a former employee asked us to send the
daily prayer to her at her new job. One employee likened the daily prayer to
her morning coffee. It is, she said, "something I use to get my day going
in the right direction. What can I do today to make someone's load a little
lighter, to make someone smile, to make a difference?"
An Enduring Sign
The Book of Proverbs tells us that "without vision the people perish"
(Prv 29:18). Is it going too far to say that without mission as an enduring
sign of our faith, we will perish? I leave the answer to you.
For more information about anything mentioned in this article, contact Marguerite
Stapleton at [email protected].