The newly hired admissions representative for the Miami-Dade office had barely begun working when her husband became very ill. Just how ill no one knew—until the Miami-Dade director of admissions and two other admissions reps went to the hospital to offer support to their new colleague. While they were there, the doctor delivered the news that their colleague’s husband was terminally ill, and nothing more could be done for him.

The new VITAS employee spent the next month in the hospital by her husband’s side until he died. Though few VITAS employees knew her well, they checked on her and comforted her. A social worker from one of the teams visited her at night, on weekends and in the early morning. A team chaplain called on her at the hospital and gave her great comfort. The entire management team worked to ensure that this woman’s financial and emotional needs were met, including helping her pay for her husband’s burial.

The day after her husband’s funeral, this new rep reported back to work. The vice president and general manager sent her home. “It’s too soon,” they said. “Get some rest. We’ll see you next week.”

To this day, there is no question about this employee’s feelings for VITAS. “I owe this company a lot,” she says. “They helped me through the rough spots, and they are still here for me.”