Read on to learn how you can honor a Blessing caregiver who provided exceptional care
November 2020
Doctors, nurses, therapists, and other caregivers touch the lives of Blessing Health System patients every day.
The Who’s Your Angel program is a meaningful way to thank a health care worker who’s made a positive difference for you or a loved one.
Ask Kala Breder if angels exist, and she’ll give you a resounding “yes.”
Kala says her “angel,” Shannon Zanger, was with her during the birth of her three children. The first and third babies had to be transported from Blessing Hospital to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for advanced care after they were born.
If that wasn’t scary enough, Kala almost died after delivering her third child in July 2020 because of extreme hemorrhage.
Shannon, a former certified obstetrics registered nurse on the Blessed Beginnings unit at Blessing Hospital, offered comfort and compassion to Kala and her husband, Charlie, when the two babies had to be transported to St. Louis. She also played a major role in saving Kala’s life.
“She’s my angel on Earth,” Kala said. “She advocated for us and stuck with her gut when she knew something wasn’t right.”
Kala thanked Shannon by nominating her for a Who’s Your Angel Award on each occasion. The award recognizes the Blessing caregiver for exceptional care while also providing a donation to the Blessing Foundation, which can then help future patients and families.
“She’s my angel on Earth,” Kala said. “She advocated for us and stuck with her gut when she knew something wasn’t right.”
Say Thanks & Pay It Forward
Who’s Your Angel launched as a pilot program in October 2015 in four clinical areas with the intent to grow new donors, and has since expanded throughout the Blessing Health System, including Blessing Hospital, Illini Community Hospital, Blessing Physician Services, and Denman Services, Inc.
“It’s a great way to recognize anyone who has touched you and been a blessing in your health care journey,” said Pam Frericks, Donor Services Specialist at the Blessing Foundation and coordinator of the program.
The first time a “Blessing Angel” is recognized, the caregiver is invited to a surprise presentation and receives a personalized certificate and an angel pin to wear every day to remind them that they’ve made a difference. If the caregiver receives future nominations, a letter is sent with the sentiments that were shared on the nomination form.
When a monetary gift is made in the angel’s honor, the donation is deposited into the Blessing Foundation fund that most closely matches the department where the angel works or volunteers. If the work area doesn’t have a specific Blessing Foundation fund, the money will be deposited to the Caring Club fund. Caring Club monies assist when no other fund can.
It’s important to know that 100% of the donations go directly to patient needs, patient items for departments, or staff needs within the department.
So, when you thank a Blessing caregiver for making a difference in your life or the life of a loved one with a Who’s Your Angel Award, you’re making a difference in someone else’s life.
“It’s a great way to recognize anyone who has touched you and been a blessing in your health care journey,” said Pam Frericks, Donor Services Specialist at the Blessing Foundation and coordinator of the program.
Kala & Shannon’s Story
When Kala and Charlie’s first child, Chaisley, was born on August 17, 2016, Shannon was there when the couple learned their little girl had a seizure and needed to be transported to the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
“She comforted my husband and me and also told us tons of information about Children’s – where to get food, what floors things were on, where to park and so much more,” Kala said. “She went above and beyond to give us gift cards for food and gas. Her generosity brought us so much joy in a time of so much sadness. She made this tough time so much more bearable.”
Chaisley spent a week in the hospital, but recovered and is now a healthy 4-year-old.
Shannon also was there for the birth of their daughter, Chariley, on April 15, 2018, which went well, and after the birth of their son, Channing, on July 16, 2020.
Channing was born at 33 weeks by emergency cesarean section and was taken to Children’s Hospital. About 12 hours after the delivery, Kala fainted in the bathroom. Shannon was there to catch her and alerted the medical team that something was seriously wrong.
“She kept telling them that my stomach shouldn’t be this tender, that my blood pressure was low and my heart rate was high,” Kala said. “They figured out I was bleeding somewhere. She was adamant they go in and find the source of the bleeding. They found out I had been bleeding from my uterus. I almost died. Shannon stayed with my family in the ICU for hours and hours and prayed with them.”
Kala was taken by helicopter to St. Louis and spent a week in the hospital. Channing, too, spent some time in the hospital. But the entire family is healthy now – and Kala has her angel, Shannon, to thank.
“I’m so grateful for what she has done,” Kala said.
Recognition from Patients is ‘Truly Humbling’
Ask Shannon, of course, and she’ll say she was just doing her job and she had a skilled and caring, team of professionals working alongside her.
“It’s one of the most challenging and worst things I’ve seen,” said Shannon, who’s been a nurse for more than 16 years. “I had a great team with me. It was absolutely a team effort.”
But Shannon was honored by Kala’s Who’s Your Angel recognition, and says she still feels a strong connection to the family.
“The fact that people would take the time out to recognize me is incredibly humbling,” said Shannon, who’s received seven Who’s Your Angel nominations. Her colleague, Ericka Shaw, also has received seven nominations and the Blessed Beginnings team has received 66 nominations in all, the most of any Blessing Health System department.
“I remember each nomination I’ve gotten,” Shannon said. “You remember the patients and it takes you back to that moment that day. In health care, we get wrapped up into it’s our job, day in and day out. We forget these are big moments and we’re being recognized for what we’ve done in those moments. It’s incredible when someone acknowledges what you’ve done. It’s what keeps you going in this career.”
An employee who receives an award is given a note card and stamp from the Blessing Foundation to send the donor a personal thank you note.
Other Blessing Health System Angels
Here are a few more examples of patients and family members who recognized their Blessing Health System “angels”:
Express Your Appreciation for a Blessing Angel
We want to know who treated you with exceptional care and compassion during your health care journey so we can recognize them.
Even if you don’t know the name of the nurse or caregiver that you want to honor, you can fill out a nomination form and describe the care you received. Almost always, we’re able to determine the name of your angel and honor them with a Who’s Your Angel Award and present their respective department with the Blessing Foundation donation made on their behalf.
When filling out the online form, you will select Who’s Your Angel Nomination from the list and then you will be asked to share how your Blessing Angel made a difference. You can remain anonymous if you choose. Brochures are also available in departments throughout Blessing Health System.
Shannon says that anyone who’s had a positive experience with a nurse or other Blessing team member should send in a Who’s Your Angel nomination.
“Recognizing a health care worker is an important thing we can do,” she said.
“It’s really important for people in the health care field to know that they’re appreciated and valued,” Kala said. “If you can spare a little bit, do what you can so they know how much their actions have meant to you.”
