In my life so far, I have seen very few true servant leaders, and I know how fortunate I am to have a true servant leader as my mentor. Early in my leadership journey, he saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. For that, I am thankful beyond words.

Ever wondered if your work makes a difference? CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson Chaplain Coordinator Deb Howie knows firsthand that the smallest act of compassion can be meaningful—even if its impact is hidden from us.

On a Tuesday morning, I got out of bed feeling anxious about what might happen that day. Our branch of American Nursing Care was in a rebuilding phase, and sometimes the results of my efforts to create order seemed little in evidence, at least to me.

I was walking down the ground floor hall when I saw Alicia, a unit secretary, leaning on the wall outside the elevators, waiting for one to open. I stopped to chat for a moment.

One day at my job, I was transferred to work at the extended care facility; an area different from one I normally work in. I was accustomed to the acute care environment, but this would be different: I would be caring for people in a health facility that serves as their home. I was out of my comfort zone.

My husband and I were so excited to fly to Seattle. My seat was in the third row, next to a delightful elderly lady who was extremely hard of hearing. About two hours into the flight, a flight attendant asked that anyone with a medical background to report to the front galley.