Celebrating Hospital Week

National Hospital Week, May 10-16 this year, recognizes the people whose dedication keeps our hospitals and facilities running every day.

The high-quality care we provide our communities is a result of the collaborative work between many people with a wide range of roles and skills — clinical teams that provide direct patient care, support services that sustain essential operations, administrative staff who manage systems and processes to keep our organization running smoothly, and environmental services teams that make sure our facilities remain safe, clean and welcoming.

To highlight the heart behind this work, we’re sharing responses from employees across our system about what called them to health care and what they love about their jobs.

Jessica Griffith, certified nurse assistant/health unit coordinator, MultiCare Valley Hospital

Jessica Griffith

What called you to work in health care?

“At 17, I was presented with an opportunity that would change my life. While still attending high school with an uncertain future, I took a chance on health care, despite lacking confidence in myself. It was then that I discovered my passion for caring for others. Twenty-five years later, I’m still dedicated to this field.

“The rewards of working in health care are immense. I believe every hospital role is crucial. I’ve never lost enthusiasm for my work, and I attribute this to the life-changing experiences I’ve had. Anyone can walk the halls on any given day and be greeted with a friendly hello. Because of health care, I met my husband and have worked with him for 24 years and married 21 of those years. Following in my mother-in-law’s footsteps, who also worked at Valley, now our daughter works with us in dietary while going to school for pharmacy. It’s a family thing.”   

How do you show up for your patients beyond just your daily work?

“I strive to treat each patient with the same care that I would offer to my own family members. Throughout my career, I’ve learned valuable lessons that have enabled me to refine my skills. I find joy in small accomplishments, like simply helping a patient get out of bed. I prioritize being genuine with my patients and offer support when needed.”

How do you hope to impact the community through your work? 

“My goal is to be a positive influence through my actions, mentoring, being an available resource. I love to get involved with bringing awareness to various causes, such as the American Heart Association — also by volunteering with local food banks, and I have volunteered at crisis nurseries events.”

What do you love about your job?

“I love the people I work with, the focus on caring for patients and families, and the collaborative environment. It all feels like an extended family, and I treat every patient as if they were part of mine. The atmosphere is warm, with friendly greetings, smiles and camaraderie. Knowing I am helping someone and that I get to come here every day and make a difference.”

Stephanie McCullough, patient access tech lead, emergency department, MultiCare Allenmore Hospital

Stephanie McCullough

What called you to work in health care?

“What called me to work in health care was the desire to give back and make a difference in someone’s life, whether it’s in a big way or a small one. Looking back on the nearly 34 years I’ve been with MultiCare, I’ve seen so many changes, so much growth and so many exciting things happen across the organization. What keeps me here is knowing that the work we do truly matters and that patients choose to come to MultiCare because of the people who work here.”

How do you show up for your patients beyond just your daily work?

“When I’m checking patients in, I try to be welcoming and empathetic. I want them to feel reassured that they’re going to be well cared for. Part of my role is also training, and I always want our patients to have a great experience. That means making sure their registration is complete and accurate, their insurance is verified and their billing is handled properly so they don’t have to worry about those things.

“I also believe in building strong relationships with other departments so we can provide continuity of care. When patients move on to their next step, I like to give them an idea of what to expect and reassure them that everything is going to be OK.”

How do you hope to impact the community through your work? 

“I know people have a choice in where they receive their care, so I always make a point to say ‘Thank you for choosing Allenmore.’ I hope that by creating a welcoming and supportive experience, patients feel confident and cared for from the moment they arrive. Even small moments — like offering a smile or helping someone who is struggling during check-in — can make a difference in someone’s day.”

What do you love about your job? 

“What I love most about my job is the people and the community we serve. I truly appreciate the team I work with and the support we have from our leadership. It means a lot when leadership takes the time to round on our department, ask how we’re doing and see if there’s anything we need.

“I also believe in taking care of myself so I can come to work and take care of others. After almost 34 years with MultiCare, I feel incredibly blessed to still be here. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who helped me along the way. I truly feel like I learned from the best.”

Anthony McDonald, PharmD, oncology pharmacist, MultiCare Cancer Institute – North Star Lodge, Yakima

Anthony McDonald, PharmD

What called you to work in health care?

“I was initially led to working in health care after losing my mother Carrie to a courageous and lengthy battle with breast cancer. I saw firsthand the importance of having a team of professionals who exhibit nothing but excellence, compassion and dedication to their patients. MultiCare’s values of collaboration, excellence, compassion and joy are aligned with my own care ethos — I know that the work I do directly impacts patient care and contributes towards their outcomes.”

What do you love about your job?

“I love having opportunities to work very closely with an interdisciplinary team of motivated professionals who want to move the needle and make cancer care more accessible in our communities. I love listening to patient stories and finding creative solutions to barriers and obstacles during their care journey.”

Cammy Bliss, speech-language pathologist, acute care and outpatient rehabilitation, MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital

Cammy Bliss, SLP

What called you to work in health care?  

“I want to work in an environment where I’m constantly learning, and where that knowledge is used to help others heal.”

How do you show up for your patients beyond just your daily work ?

“Speech-language pathologists are often among the first providers to complete detailed cranial nerve assessments or take a closer look in a patient’s mouth. It is not within our scope to make medical diagnoses, but sometimes what we observe at the bedside can point to concerns beyond speech and swallowing. For example, last year a patient presented with progressive swallowing issues, and neurological signs during my evaluation led to a neurology consult and timely treatment for myasthenia gravis.”

How do you hope to impact the community through your work ?

“I hope to increase awareness of healthy cognition, communication, voice use and swallowing in the Yakima community so that people know when to seek help, receive intervention as early as possible and improve their quality of life.”

What do you love about your job?

“I love the challenge of the hospital setting — the fast pace, variety of cases and collaboration across disciplines. No day is the same. One hour I might be counseling a family on communication and swallowing strategies after a stroke; the next, helping someone with a tracheostomy hear their voice again through a speaking valve, or cheering on that first bite of ice cream after coming off a ventilator. I’m grateful for the collaborative team of therapists I work with, who bring thoughtful problem-solving to complex cases, along with a much-needed coffee or two!”

Jacquie Holloway, manager of nutrition services and retail operations, MultiCare Valley Hospital

Jacquie Holloway

What called you to work in health care?

“I was drawn to health care because food is one of the most powerful and personal forms of care we can provide. Nutrition isn’t just about meals; it’s about dignity, healing, comfort and connection. I wanted a role where I could make a real difference in someone’s day, and nutrition services offered that impact in a very immediate, concrete way.

“I’ve always believed that everyone deserves nourishing food that supports both their health and their sense of wellbeing. Working in health care allows me to combine that belief with my skills in leadership, service and operations. It’s rewarding to know that the decisions I make — whether designing menus, improving processes or supporting my team — directly affect patient outcomes and experiences.

“Every day, I get to support a team that cares deeply about what they do. Watching them bring comfort, kindness and nutrition to patients makes me proud of the work we do together. I stay because I see the difference we make: a patient eating after a tough day, a family feeling cared for, a team member feeling supported and valued.

“I’m also motivated by the challenge. Health care is always evolving, and Nutrition Services evolves with it. I enjoy continuously improving systems, elevating service and finding new ways to make nutrition an essential part of patient-centered care.

“Knowing that the work we do contributes to healing and helps people feel seen and cared for continues to drive me every day.”

How do you show up for your patients beyond just your daily work?

“For me, ‘showing up’ for patients goes beyond making sure meals are delivered on time or menus are correct. It’s about being present, attentive and human in moments that matter. Here are the ways I try to show up beyond the technical side of my job:

“I take time to connect. When I’m on the units, I don’t just check trays; I stop, introduce myself, ask how the patient is doing and really listen. Sometimes patients need encouragement to eat, sometimes they need a quick fix to feel more comfortable and sometimes they just need someone to acknowledge them.

“I look for the unspoken needs. A patient might not ask for help, but I pay attention to signs — untouched meals, discomfort, confusion about diet orders. I make sure those small signals don’t go unnoticed and coordinate with nursing or clinical teams when something needs extra attention.

“I support families, too. Families often feel overwhelmed. I offer assistance with menu questions, food preferences, cultural needs or simply reassurance that their loved one is being cared for. Sometimes offering a warm beverage or a moment of understanding goes a long way.

“I advocate behind the scenes. A lot of my support happens indirectly: improving processes, adjusting workflows, training the team or resolving barriers so patients experience smoother, more compassionate care. When I see patterns — like diet confusion or special requests that keep coming up — I work to fix them at the system level.

“I show kindness in the small moments. A warm blanket, a smile, a quick solution for a meal they’ll actually enjoy — these gestures matter. They turn an ordinary interaction into a moment of comfort.”