A caregiver in St. Joseph was nominated for an award by a former patient whose life was impacted by his care and encouragement 26 years ago.
That caregiver, Ernie Hawkins, Patient Care Coordinator at Mosaic Life Care, is the recipient of the Mosaic Life Care “Law of the Heart” award. Hawkins was nominated by former patient Megan Vasko who was run over by a car in 1990 and suffered numerous injuries including a smashed pelvis, third degree road burns and a broken arm.
“When I came to the hospital I was 15 and I was very scared,” Vasko said. “Ernie came in, he was on duty that night, and helped lift me, with a smile on his face. He was there through physical therapy, always lifting me, the one who taught me how to sit up again, how to walk and I just always wanted to tell him thank you. I spent a lot of time in a lot of different hospitals, but there was never another nurse or anybody like Ernie. Being able to tell him thank you on Facebook through messaging has just been amazing, but being able to see him face-to-face and just say thank you for the smiles, for the encouragement, for teaching me that life is hard but you can just smile through it, that it’s going to get better.”
Hawkins was honored at a ceremony Thursday morning with an award and a surprise visit from Megan who flew in from her home in North Carolina.
“Big surprise, had no idea,” Hawkins said. “It’s good though, it makes me feel good. My parents always taught me, treat people the way you want to be treated and I see why now. It really makes you feel good when people remember you. The award is just the icing on the cake but the main thing is you did something good for someone and they remember you for it and they fly across the country to thank you, that makes me feel special.”
Christine Paige is the Clinic Special Projects Manager at Mosaic. She and other staff members found out about Megan’s story and wanted to do something for Ernie. Paige said once she found out Ernie was going to get the Law of the Heart award, she worked to make sure Megan was a part of the ceremony and kept it a secret from Ernie for months.
“The Law of the Heart, I think Ernie truly embodies that when it talks about somebody who shows compassion for the community, for their fellow caregivers, for their patients and that is him,” Paige said. “He loves his patients, they love him, he will take care of any of the staff here in the clinic or anyone he’s ever worked with. When it comes to the community, he has his Harley and does the charitable rides and does a lot for feeding the homeless and he literally would give you the shirt off his back and the last five dollars in his wallet. So when the application for this award came up, there was no doubt that he embodies the Law of the Heart.”
According to Mosaic’s website, the Law of the Heart award recognizes caregivers who have shown enthusiasm and compassion for patients, fellow caregivers and/or the community and their Live Life Well quest.
“I’ve had multiple jobs, but patient care, it’s more than just fluffing a pillow or bringing a patient water,” Hawkins said. “When you connect with a patient, you get to sit and talk with them, you become that friend they don’t have at that particular time. Sometimes patients are a little cranky, but you have to understand where they’re at and what they’re going through and just be there for them. It’s great, I love it. It’s not about the money, the reward is that patient remembering what you did for them and that you did a good job. That right there says it all.”