Rick and Sharlyn Capps were married on March 20, 1976. When Sharlyn had treatment scheduled on their anniversary at PFCI, co-workers made sure they had a joyful celebration.
A Parkview co-worker for almost 25 years, Angie Capps, radiology supervisor of Diagnostic Imaging at Parkview Kosciusko Hospital, is passionate about delivering exceptional patient experiences. So, when she learned her mother-in-law, Sharlyn, would be spending her 50th wedding anniversary at Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute (PFCI) receiving chemotherapy, she wanted to make sure that day would be extra special, despite the circumstances.
Angie reached out to Melisa Martin, leader and data analyst on the Service Excellence team, and explained the situation. She had worked with Melisa in the past and knew she would jump in to help. She connected Angie with Tanya Hammon, director of experience, Service Excellence, and Fayth Haines, project coordinator at PFCI, who started working on a plan.
Angie would have been thrilled with a card and perhaps a blessing from the chaplain, but Fayth and the team at PFCI went above and beyond to make sure Sharlyn and her husband, Rick, would enjoy their special day. The nursing team at PFCI Infusion gave the couple a heartwarming card with their best wishes and treated Sharlyn to a delicious milkshake since she was on a liquid diet and couldn’t have the typical anniversary cake.
It seemed as if the day couldn’t get any better – until Chaplain Michel Bayson arrived and blessed Sharlyn and Rick. Then he pulled up music on his phone and serenaded them with “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers. Angie’s father-in-law sang along with him, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. The couple in the infusion bay next door had just celebrated their anniversary the week before and were also moved to tears. Everyone in the infusion clinic that day could hear Michel’s beautiful voice, and other patients joined in the celebration, wishing Rick and Sharlyn a happy anniversary.
Angie’s heart swelled with pride and gratitude for the whole team at Parkview who went above and beyond to make a hard day infinitely brighter. Her mother-in-law gushed about all the surprises and kindness from everyone. She said it was one of their very best anniversaries yet, and she will always have fond memories of that day.
Thank you to all the co-workers who took part in turning what might have been a somber experience into a joyful celebration of long-lasting love. We’re so grateful – and Parkview proud – to have been a part of Sharlyn’s and Rick’s unforgettable 50th wedding anniversary.
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