Raye Nell Dyer, right, chaplain with the Department of Pastoral Care, performed the Blessing of the Hands ceremony with medical assistant Debbie Bowers Wednesday in the chapel at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
As part of pastoral care week, the 2-minute affirmation ritual focuses on the work of every Medical Center employee as a way of saying, ‘thank you.’ The tradition began 14 years ago and has grown every year.
Children’s Hospital leaders Luke Gregory, CEO, and Meg Rush, M.D., chief of staff, center, also attended Wednesday’s event to dry employees’ hands and offer them their gratitude.
“There are never enough kudos expressed in this life so when folks come and have their individual lives and life’s work affirmed in such a personal and meaningful way, it is a very powerful moment,” said Dyer. “And the emotional effect of it stays with us and reminds us of how our hands connect us to the important work we do.”
