Healthcare Worker Finds Resiliency in Helping Others

Healthcare Worker Finds Resiliency by Helping Others Find Theirs

Steve Stanek | Banner Boswell Medical Center

“How can I help?” “What can I do to make your day better?”

Such comforting, caring words these are for those feeling anxious when coming to the hospital.

Steve Stanek goes above and beyond to exemplify this caring spirit. He is a Patient Transporter and the Head Concierge at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City. He also is known by many as “the heart of Banner Boswell,” although he will say he represents the spirit of the bigger team.

Steve greets people at the main entrance when they arrive and escorts patients, visitors, and caregivers to and from areas in the hospital.

Going the extra mile is in Steve’s nature to create the best experience possible for everyone he meets. He strives to help patients feel a little better, more comfortable and even more resilient in their journey. He does this by talking with them, being responsive to their needs and finding ways to make them smile or laugh.

Not forgetting anyone, Steve also goes out of his way to give words of encouragement and appreciation to the healthcare teams. Doctors, nurses and other frontline and support team members are not exempt from this excellent service. He understands what it means to be on the front lines helping others.

Before joining Banner Boswell seven years ago, Steve was a firefighter in Chicago. For 24 years, he was on the front lines during some of the most tragic as well as some of the most joyful times in people’s lives.

He built his resiliency from all he experienced as a first responder. Learning guitar and piano helped him cope.

How does Steve continue to stay resilient?

“My current job serves as therapy for my past experiences. I gain as much from the people I meet as they do from me. Meeting them reminds me that life is precious and to make the most of every day.” He adds, “Faith has gotten me through the most difficult times. We’re all going to have trying times, so faith helps us go on.”

Steve also is a firm believer in the power of music to promote healing and resiliency. He can be seen on occasion playing the grand piano in the hospital lobby and strumming his guitar outside the main entrance on his days off.

During the height of COVID-19, Steve did more than play the strings on his guitar, he began making bracelets out of them and would occasionally give them to patients as a show of support.

“When I’d give a bracelet to someone, I’d tell them to think of their favorite tune,” he says.

One grateful patient mentioned to Steve that when he wore that bracelet, he felt “an extra shield of protection.”

Steve says he is thankful for all he gained throughout his firefighting career, which inspired his desire to continue giving back after retiring. That’s why after moving to Arizona, he applied to work at Banner Health.

“I felt my purpose was to be here at Banner Boswell. I’m a firm believer we are put in place for a reason.”

Steve Stanek