From the frontlines of clinical care to everything that happens behind the scenes, it takes a team of professionals to keep a hospital operating on all cylinders. At Pardee UNC Health Care, the hospital is made up of more than just those who provide direct patient care and without whom the hospital would not be able to function.
Hundreds of patients coming in and out of the hospital every week create a need for people like Mark Holliday — a courier and delivery driver. He is responsible for transporting supplies such as IV fluids, masks, gloves, garbage bags, patient gowns, toilet paper, paper towels, and hand sanitizer from the onsite warehouse to the different locations throughout the health care system.
“As a courier, it’s my job to get people the supplies they need to be able to do their job and take care of our patients,” said Holliday. “It’s very rewarding to know that they count on me to have the things they need in a timely manner.”
Holliday’s job took on a whole new meaning when COVID-19 first hit and his department was responsible for transporting the personal protective equipment (PPE) to the hospital and several offsite locations. Pardee UNC Health Care has evolved beyond its main campus and hospital structure, to include a comprehensive physician practice network, a cancer center, four urgent care locations and six orthopedic clinics.
PPE became a critical part of safe patient care during the height of the pandemic, regardless of location. There were many specialty practices and clinics, many located in other counties, that previously did not require the use of PPE. With COVID-19 protocols in place, these facilities needed supplies on a regular basis and couriers like Holliday were charged with ensuring timely delivery.
All PPE for Pardee UNC Health Care is stored at the hospital’s warehouse before it goes out to different locations. It takes a coordinated team for all the supplies to get to where it is going, in a sense like Santa’s workshop.
“My job is to support the clinical team by bringing them what they need so they can keep their attention on the patient,” Holliday said.
During National Hospital Week, May 8-14, it’s important to bring attention to and show appreciation for all the departments and people that make a hospital run. The week-long celebration, which dates back to 1921, is a time for all hospital team members to be shown appreciation.
Pardee is fortunate to have a magnificent set of professionals who each play a very distinct and important role in making sure the daily operations of the hospital run smoothly, ensuring high-quality and compassionate patient care.