Comments from the Community
Comments from the Community
A letter sent in to the Medical Center, with an accompanying donation
After reading the wonderful column about you in this morning's Boston Globe by Kevin Cullen, we are sending a donation into the Beth Israel Hospital. It takes people like you who care to make a better world. My wife and I use the Beth Israel Hospital on a regular basis as our hospital of choice and we are very pleased with the care we get.
Comments about the Boston Globe article “A head with a heart”
I just want to congratulate Paul Levy and the employees of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for their altruism toward their fellow employees who would have been the first to lose jobs as a result of the economic crisis affecting all of us. They understand that we all must be willing to give a little for all boats to remain afloat. This should be a lesson for other groups who seem to be circling the wagons and resisting this obvious solution to what is, hopefully, a temporary setback. This is exactly what President Obama has asked us to do, and the people at Beth Israel have responded beautifully.
Byron C. Coffin; Brookline
Just as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center chief Paul Levy did, my eyes filled with tears as I read about the way the hospital’s staff received his suggestion that they give up some of their salary or benefits to enable lower-wage earners to keep their jobs. What a contrast with the editorial the same day ("Compensation on the sly"), about Boston municipal workers refusing to give up anything, and always looking for a way to sneak in higher pay and benefits. I am getting tired of reading something new every day about municipal workers getting undeserved pensions, raises, etc. Perhaps the city could hire someone who is out of work to review all the various pension and salary arrangements and recommend cutting back on unreasonable ones. Instead of a salary, the city could offer this person a fraction of the savings to be had.
Leslie Mitchell; Wayland
I found myself getting a lump in my throat as I read Kevin Cullen's column "A head with a heart." Like many, I have had my share of family illness and accompanying hospital stays. While reading about CEO Paul Levy's observations of the intimate, important interactions support staff have with patients at Beth Israel, I was reminded of my own experiences. Some years ago, my son spent more time than any teen should spend in a hospital. While the medical and nursing care were excellent, I remember how much the kind words of the housekeeping staff who saw my son and our family day after day meant to us. They could sense if we were having a good day or bad day, and always seemed to do the right thing. Many a day, those words and deeds were the solitary ray of light. I'm also in healthcare. When I was at work, it was not uncommon for those angels among us who delivered meals, washed floors, or transported people to X-ray to make contact with a nurse if they felt that the patient needed something. If I wore a hat, I'd tip it to Levy for his thoughtful approach toward making tough decisions and to the Beth Israel staff for acting so graciously on those observations. That story made my day.
Paulette Renault-Caragianes; Lowell
Excellent post. I'm so impressed with not only the suggestion that Mr. Levy made, but to the applause from the staff. Brings tears to my eye. In fact, my business partner just wrote about this post here (http://socialcapitalmentor.com/2009/03/16/is-social-capital-saving-jobs/) because Mr. Levy recognizes the *value* that the personal interactions create for the patients. More people should be like Mr. Levy in recognizing the value of gracious, personable interactions. This story is particularly admirable and wonderful, especially in this time, when AIG employees are taking millions of dollars in bonuses after being bailed out by tax dollars. This should be required reading for every American alive today.
Craigpeters
For those of you fortunate enough to know Paul Levy, this is totally in character. He did this because it is the right thing, because that is the measure of the man. No hidden agendas, no dark side. Those who work at Beth Israel are indeed lucky to have him on their side in these tough times. He is a GREAT leader.
Amirtllr
We are a people who will survive!
True leadership is often not realized!
Paul Levy is a leader!
AJC
If any of my family members needed medical treatment right now, I would consider going to the Beth Israel. Here is a staff that has rallied around each other and is in this together and in this to optimize patient care. If I was undergoing active treatment for cancer, although the Dana Farber is a world-class institution, I would have to think twice about going there right now given the recent layoffs. I suspect the staff is somewhat demoralized and running scared, worried if the ax will fall again and if their job will be the next at risk.
DSHGJ444
When I think everything has gone to hell and people don't care anymore, this was nice to read. At the end of the day all we have is the company of fellow humans and it's a great day when good deeds are done to help those less fortunate. Thanks Kevin.
Stuckwithhim
I applaud Paul Levy and the entire staff of BI. If more organizations took that approach, what a great world we would be living in. Well done.
d62t
