Today, Mr. Crabtree makes the
round trip five times a day from Sun
City to Round Rock clinics up to 30
miles away. As he says, he’s found his
ministry—and his riders are thrilled.
In wheelchairs, on electric scooters,
and with canes and walkers, they make
their way to the van to catch a ride or
just say hello.
Mr. Crabtree says, “They tell me
every day how much they appreciate
this shuttle. Rain or shine, we’re here
for them.” Driving 50 seniors a week to
and from appointments has showered
him with enduring friendships, great
stories, and lots of homemade tamales.
“Many of my riders are very sick and
going through a lot of anxiety. If I can
give a word of encouragement, a smile,
or hug, that makes my day,” he says.
“Jerry is so outgoing and nice,”
says one rider, setting a container of
homemade cookies on his seat. “He
just puts me at ease.”
Mr. Crabtree says, “These people
have experienced every physical ailment
imaginable, from losing their eyesight
to cancer, yet they still come on here
smiling. They’ve taught me a great deal
about perseverance. I’m sure this bus
builds patient satisfaction, but for me,
it’s just the greatest job in the world.”
Baylor Scott & White McLane
Children’s: Education is key
Class is in session when David Dixon
is perched on a bedside, giving lessons
to patients at Baylor Scott & White
McLane Children’s Medical Center,
just as they would receive in the
classroom back at their school. The
former teacher and retired principal is
researching Queen Victoria with his
student, a high school freshman and
patient at McLane Children’s.
“I’ve been emailing her teacher
and getting homework assignments
so she can keep up with her algebra,
chemistry, English, and history. The
challenge is to provide relevant lessons
on a very fast timeline,” he says.
Mr. Dixon is hired
by the local school
district to work at
McLane Children’s,
designated a school
for children who
need to stay overnight
or longer so that a
hospital stay does
not count as a school
absence. By tutoring
and communicating
with the school, Mr.
Dixon’s role is to
ensure that students’
time is well spent.
“Education is a huge
part of a child’s
development, and we want to keep life
as normal as possible,” says Mr. Dixon.
“The number one priority is to get
children well, but secondly, we want to
help them keep up in school as well as
they can. It’s one less thing for a family
to worry about.”
Mr. Dixon visits every single room
at Baylor Scott & White McLane
Children’s Medical Center daily,
giving special attention to children
facing more than three days in the
hospital. “The children are surprised
to see me at first, thinking, ‘Wow, I’m
in a hospital and a teacher shows up?’”
he says. “The parents are more pleased.
If they want me to work with their
child, I will.” Mr. D, as he’s known,
tries to get in four lessons during a
week, considered full-time attendance
for children ages four to 19.
Carolyn Jackson, di rector of the
Emergency Department and inpatient
medical and surgical unit at McLane
Children’s, says, “No one wants to
“The number one
priority is to get
children well, but
secondly, we want
to help them keep
up in school as
well as they can.”
—David Dixon,
McLane Children’s
come to a hospital. But when quality
patient care and an excellent patient
experience are combined, it’s a real
win-win for children.”
The patient experience at
Baylor Scott & White Health is
one that encompasses many aspects
of health management. We’re
integrating technology to make your
encounters with us more convenient,
with innovative programs and a
compassionate touch to ease patients’
burdens. We want your interactions
with us to be the best they can
possibly be, while setting new
standards in healthcare delivery
throughout our system. n
sw.org | Spring 17 THE CATALYST
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