Memorial associate recognized for act of kindness

While mopping near the front entry of the Emergency Department several weeks ago, Adrian Settles watched a teenager hurry inside. The boy was dripping wet on this particularly rainy night.

But Adrian, a lead Environment Services associate, noticed more than his clothes. The young man had walked into the hospital barefoot. That bothered Adrian, so he decided to do something about it.

Adrian approached a patient care assistant near the emergency room front window and asked if they knew or could find out what size shoe the teenager wore. They told him size 10.

He wasted no time in going to his locker and taking out his extra pair of Addidas shoes, the pair he had actually worn to work that day. They were a 10.5.

Adrian asked the staff to give his extra pair to the young man.

“I knew he’d need them going back out into the rain,” Adrian said.

“I just thought if it was my own kid who came into the hospital like that, I would hope someone would help them out.”

Memorial Hospital President Larry Tracy recognized Adrian Thursday morning by presenting him with a Leadership Coin for outstanding respect and compassion.

“I was surprised,” Adrian said about the recognition. “Sometimes the things we do in Environmental Services go unnoticed, so it feels good to be recognized.”

Matt Curry, Director of Environment Services, said Adrian is a hard worker.

“He works long hours and picks up shifts regularly for the department,” Curry said. “He is caring, a team player, and puts patients needs first. It makes me feel proud when one of our team mates goes above and beyond for our patients.”