It’s no surprise that someone who loves her job was the perfect choice for Hinsdale Hospital’s Living Our Mission Award. Carole Bliss, a receptionist in health information management, received the award during the spring Spiritual Emphasis Week at Hinsdale Hospital. A hospital employee since 1979, Carole says all of her work is “His stuff” and intersperses “to God be the glory” throughout her explanation of what her job entails.

“The best part of my job is the spiritual side—to be able to show patients and visitors we care about their spiritual needs as well as the business they bring. My job is a blessing, and it’s so creative,” Carole says.

“My first job is to pray with people over the phone, for patients who come to my window, and for my interactions with co-workers,” notes Carole, who keeps a legal pad handy to jot down prayer requests that she’ll later share with a departmental prayer support group. “We’re prayer warriors. Hinsdale Hospital is a Christian institution, not just a business.”

Carole says opportunities to minister to people’s needs present themselves daily. “The people I encounter need a spiritual lift as well as the medical records they are seeking. We’ve incorporated that into our department’s job description, i.e., to do our work in a timely manner, provide the information needed, and meet their spiritual needs."

“We pray for them,” Carole says. She also dispenses hugs, as needed, and is quick to include an uplifting spiritual postcard along with a patient’s records. “Everyone is so appreciative. They love Nathan Greene's artwork that I give them.”

Carole also volunteers for the pastoral care department. In that role, she helps keep racks filled throughout the hospital with health care and spiritual literature. “Being familiar with the literature available helps me to meet a patient or visitor’s spiritual need.”

This energetic and enthusiastic worker suffers from osteoarthritis, but says her pain is minimal when she focuses on “His work.” Carole is an elder in the Hinsdale Church and has served on Hinsdale Hospital's Spiritual Life Committee as well.

In presenting the award, Todd Werner, Hinsdale Hospital CEO, noted, “Carole Bliss truly exemplifies living the Christian mission and leaves people better than she found them. It’s no secret that we have more responsibilities and less time than ever, but Carole actually makes the time to help others. That’s what’s important to our mission, and that’s what this award is all about.”

Lynn Larson is the Adventist Health System Midwest Region Lake Union Herald correspondent.