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Ron Bradford joined Parkview in 2023 as an environmental services technician. What he enjoys most about his job is uplifting co-workers, patients and visitors, and making sure he provides outstanding customer service. Recently, the compassion he shared with one patient led to memorable recognition for Ron.
An observant heart
As he walks through the hallways and waiting areas of Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC) to make sure every area is sparkling clean, Ron Bradford, environmental services technician, is always on the lookout for patients and families who could use some positivity.
Those who know Ron will tell you that he’s typically smiling and singing softly, bringing cheer to everyone he sees. So naturally, when Ron came across a patient sitting nervously in the surgical waiting area at PRMC, he immediately stopped to ask the man if he would like to say a prayer with him.
The patient, who was about to go into surgery for a kidney biopsy, was scared and had a worried look on his face. But when Ron sat with him for several minutes, offering a spontaneous prayer and words of encouragement, the unexpected gesture gave the patient such great comfort that it changed his whole demeanor from anxious to hopeful.
A few days after the surgery, a Parkview Patient Advocate reached out to the gentleman for feedback on his experience. He shared that Ron’s unprompted outreach and noticeable joy in working at Parkview gave him a sense of peace right before his surgery, and he was immensely grateful to Ron for shifting his mindset.
The patient also commended the medical staff and his care team for “making a kidney biopsy seem easy,” and he realized after it was over that he had always been in good hands. But he was especially appreciative of Ron’s prayers and uplifting spirit that put him at ease when he needed it most. He wanted to make sure Ron was recognized for helping him that day, and we couldn’t agree more.
In return
As Ron’s story circulated through Parkview's interwebs, an outpouring of co-workers echoing similar interactions with him quickly poured in via comments. The overwhelming support prompted Parkview leaders and the Co-worker Experience team to find several ways to show Ron their collective appreciation, including a coin, a personal written thank-you note, a leadership huddle acknowledgment from his team and a kudos write-up.
But they also wanted to do something more personal. Knowing how much Ron enjoys singing, the Co-worker Experience Team partnered with Parkview leaders to arrange a private recording session for Ron at Sweetwater Music.
On the mic
Though many have come to know Ron through the melodies he spreads throughout the halls of PRMC, he said he never considered himself a musician, at least not in the traditional sense.
"I am a worshipper," he said. "That's where my music comes in. I love to praise and love to sing a song to the Lord. Sometimes I might have a song I'm listening to, and I sing it. Or sometimes, however, He puts it; it just comes out."
Ron shared that the Sweetwater experience allowed him to explore a side of himself he had never considered professionally. A gift that he said was nothing short of amazing.
"I'm not from Fort Wayne," Ron shared, prefacing his limited familiarity with the music facility. "I'd heard of Sweetwater, but when I walked in, my eyes just got so big! All I could say was "Oh my lord." I didn't know they had so many different types of equipment in there."
That sense of wonder continued as Ron made his way to the recording studio, passing foosball, pool tables and video games, to meet the engineer who would work with him. After chatting and setting up in the booth, the time had finally come for Ron to lay down what was on his heart. But suddenly, the excitement that had been filling him all morning gave way to nerves.
"I put the headphones on and got in front of the mic and said, 'Hold on, wait one minute. I can't do this.' I didn't know what to do," Ron recalled.
He stepped out of the booth for a moment to collect himself. Then with encouragement from the young engineer, Ron returned to the booth once more and recorded his song, "Get on Up." The lyrics call on listeners to rise above difficult times through faith and praise, promoting perseverance, gratitude and the motivation to find joy even after being knocked down.
"People tell me all the time that I have a nice, beautiful voice," he said humbly. But it wasn't until that moment, playing back the track, that Ron had ever truly heard his own voice. "When I listened to it, I said, 'Man. Well, I bet you by God, why I do got a nice voice!' It has one of those old-school, mellow tones."
Ron left Sweetwater with his first professionally recorded song, but shared that he has no current plans to pursue a life in the spotlight.
"At this time and in this season, I give all glory and honor to God so that He can be exalted and people can draw closer to Him. That's my thing now," he said. "I want to bring joy to people; I don't want to see somebody who's down, especially in this place. It's a blessing to be able to give them a sense that it's going to be all right and that there's still joy that can come out of whatever it is that we face."
Final thoughts
Thank you, Ron, for making sure our patients, families and visitors are not only welcomed into a clean and safe environment, but also feel seen, supported and cared for in ways that go far beyond expectations. Your inspiring positivity is a powerful reminder that all of us play an important role in delivering excellent care–and many times, it starts with a simple act of kindness.
Check out "Get on Up" by Ron Bradford here.
