A MO Bap Moment

Next month, I'll be working with Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Strangely enough, Mo Bap is now not just a client, but a place where I've been a Patient. And will be again soon!

As I spoke with my client this morning, she shared how they have a new initiative called Mo Bap Moments. This is simply to raise the awareness that every Mo Bap employee has a moment to help create a positive experience for the patient. Lining two hallways at Mo Bap are posters with noteable stories of employees implementing the philosophy of the Mo Bap moment. But, here's one my client shared that I thought was especially cool...

An elderly woman showed up at a Missouri Baptist clinic for a mammogram. Yet, at the clinic, they realized she needed a specific test that's only available at Mo Bap Hospital; some 10miles away.

The patient was disheartened at the mistake, but also intimidated by the hospital, the parking garage, different buildings, etc. that make up the campus. One of the clinic employees said to the patient, "ya know? I'm due for my mammogram, too. I'll call over right now, make an appointment for each of us and I'll pick you up and help you navigate the hospital."

Talk about creating a moment! One thing I always encourage hospitals to remember: it's your place of employment, but a place of confusion, intimidation and uncertainity for everyone else. The more you can help patients feel comfortable with the logistics of the hospital, the more likely they are to have a positive patient experience.

Support-It's Not Just For Groups Any More!

Tonight I was corresponding with a nurse at a children's hospital in Texas. Paraphrasing here, but she said, "I'd love to see your message of hope and inspiration and determination brought to groups of our patients. If you haven't already, I hope you'll think of starting a support group at children's hospitals."

Well, thinking of it now! Not exactly how this could be done on a large scale, but here's my philosophy: you never know what kind of impact you can make on someone in the tiniest communication.

There have been people who've inspired me to write articles, books and to keep on doing what I do...and these aren't professional speakers or experts in motivation. It may just be getting really awesome service at the dry cleaners and seeing someone take a great amount of pride in his/her job.

Last year, I was on a flight with a guy who rattled off something I've tried to adopt into my thinking:

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and I'm living in the now"

Yet, does this fellow even know he's made this impact on me? Maybe, if he reads this...but realistically not. This interaction? I think it was somewhere between Cleveland and Orlando...

And yet? His statement is now being relayed to you. I can share with groups of young patients and create a giant support group...but really, I could just pop into a patient's room for a few minutes and...who knows? Maybe that patient will take something away from a brief interaction.

Whether it's in a group setting, or just a passing comment from a stranger, we all want support. We all want to know our problems don't seem insurmountable. We all want to know what the best thing we can do to face our adversity. Never, ever underestimate the power that you, the health care professional, has...and how your interaction may be just the thing that supports your patient for the future.

The Drop

Well, after years of folks reading "After This..." and "The Other End Of The Stethoscope", I've heard tons of comments. Most often, though, I hear this one:

"Wow, this would make a great movie!"

That's a huge compliment because, well, it means the reader wants something more than just words on a page and images in their mind and heart. Well ya know what? Y'all get your wish!

We've just completed work on a short film called, "The Drop." This is based on experiences from "After This..." and "Stethoscope", but brings a whole new experience to those who've been touched by the Marcus Engel story.

The official web site is:

www.TheDropMovie.com

Now, here's where I'll start begging....

"The Drop" is currently entered in a short film contest being sponsored by TheDoorpost.com. If you're inclined to do so, we'd really really really really love it if you'd go to:

www.TheDoorpost.com

and search for "The Drop." That'll bring up the method for voting. Votes and views move us one step closer to making "The Drop" into a full length feature film based on "After This..."

And if nothing ever comes of this besides the seven minute film? So be it...we got to be filmmakers, we got to be screenwriters and we got to bring another dimension to the Marcus Engel story.

And, before leaving this post, I have to thanThe Drop" and my sis-in-law and executive producer, Martha Munizzi. Love you guys!