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Rain or shine, cold weather or hot, employees and visitors to the cafeteria at St. Mary's Hospital are assured of getting a pleasant, welcoming smile with their morning coffee-thanks to Pat Garrett.
 Pat is the cashier in the cafeteria and has been working at St. Mary's Hospital for about ten years. She actually started as temporary help-but that didn't last long. It was soon apparent that Pat and the hospital were a good fit. "I like the people I work with," she says. "We're kind of like family." A family that can keep a secret.
Pat was named St. Mary's Hospital's Employee of the Year this summer. She didn't see it coming. "It was a really busy time (in the cafeteria). And a lot of people just showed up and were just gathering around. I thought it was kind of unusual-I didn't know what was going on." Then came the big announcement, flowers, friends and family. "I was very surprised," says Pat. "I really didn't feel like I was that good."
Ah, but her coworkers do. "She is wonderful with customers," says another Dietary employee. "She does her job with pride and is always smiling and willing to help." They've seen how Pat's positive manner can change the attitudes of some early morning visitors.
"She shows compassion to everyone," says Karen Robinson, Director of Dietary Services at the hospital. "Pat is a team player and very professional."
Pat says she learned about customer service at a very young age-from her father who owned a service station and car repair shop in El Dorado, Arkansas. "That's just the way my daddy treated everyone," says Pat. "He was always very friendly and polite and just learned that's the way to treat people."
Because everyone, sooner or later, comes to the cafeteria, Pat eventually meets everyone who works at the hospital. She says that's one of the things she really likes about her job. "I see a lot of people. Some people eat the same thing every morning for breakfast-and I'll get it before they even ask for it," she laughs. "I know I've worked here too long when I know what everyone wants to eat."
Despite what they eat, everyone gets the same thing from Pat-courtesy and a smile. And those can go a long way in making everyone feel a little better.
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