PATIENT STORIES LETTER DELIVERED MONTHS AFTER PATIENT PASSES AWAY Luis Gomez, a Housekeeper and Patient Advocate at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa, is known for the significant impact he makes in the lives of patients, their families, and the staff at the hospital. He has been with the hospital for four years and believes he is where God wants him to be. During COVID-19, he has gone above and beyond to ensure those suffering from the virus feel loved and cared for. “As I clean the rooms, I talk to patients and add a little bit more joy,” Gómez said. “I try to make them smile and feel comfortable.” Aside from his job duties, Luis talks and prays with patients, listens to their struggles, and gives advice. He even gives small, faith-based gifts that he buys with his own money. He bought miniature Christmas trees and other items to bring Christmas to COVID-19 patients like Maureen Stinson during the holidays. In December of 2020, Maureen was admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. Visitor restrictions kept her family from visiting her. Despite not seeing her family, Maureen was pleased to have a friendship with Luis. Once she recovered from COVID-19, she moved to a nursing home. However, she returned to the hospital in February of 2021 due to lasting complications, where she later passed away. Months later, Maureen’s family went through her belongings and found a letter written to Luis. Finding the letter was the closure the family needed; they had guilt for not being with her when she was sick, and the letter proved she was taken care of.
15 | Methodist Magazine
THE LETTER TO LUIS READS: “Dear Luis, Thank you for the pretty ornament. I will treasure it always. You are extremely thoughtful. I love my little bear. I’m going to take good care of it. I love him. I’m so glad we met. My writing is not good because of my hand that I hurt. Thank you again, Maureen Stinson.” Melissa also found the Christmas tree and a little bear from Luis. Maureen’s family wanted Luis to have the original letter, so they made copies and delivered the original to Luis at the hospital. Melissa, Maureen’s daughter, met Luis, thanked him for all he did, and even invited Luis to attend Maureen’s memorial service. Luis attended the service and was able to meet the entire family. This experience was the first time a patient’s family has contacted Luis personally; it reaffirmed that he is where he needs to be. “This letter and what the family wrote to me made a difference in my life. God answered my prayers through all of this,” Luis shared. Maureen’s family is forever grateful to Luis for his kindness toward their mom. “Luis went above and beyond his duties, and we appreciate it. We went so long without contact other than Zoom with mom,” said Todd, Maureen’s son. “I mean, he even hugged her! He wasn’t scared of getting the virus. He saw the importance of it … that my mom needed a hug, and he gave it to her.” Luis believes that God put him to work at the hospital for this reason; that is where he is meant to be. “If I can make just one person smile throughout the day, then I’ve done my job. None of the other stuff matters,” said Luis. “I thank them from the bottom of my heart for taking time to deliver this letter and sharing with me how much it meant to them. They treated me like one of their own, and I want to ensure they know how thankful I am to them. It’s just so emotional and hard to explain.” Luis keeps in touch with the family and continues to spread kindness and love to all the patients he meets at the hospital.
