August 4, 2006

One Blessed Ingredient

I’m a fan of the Food Network.  And one of my favorite shows on that channel is Good Eats, with host Alton Brown.  He is absolutely hilarious as he artfully explains the physics of food and cooking.  So I was excited to see that the August issue of Guidepost features an article by Brown entitled “Food for Thought” (get it??).  I recommend the article to you – it’s wonderful reading. 

Brown recounts a childhood journey where his parents took him on a trip from California to Georgia, intentionally driving on the back roads of America.  Their intent was to expose young Alton to the true sights and tastes of our country.  He ate exotic stuff, like blue cheese, grits, and avocados – and met some wonderful people.  Thus was planted in his heart a lifelong love for good food, and good people.

Years later, after the spectacular success of Good Eats (seven seasons running), Brown got a yearning to leave the studio behind, and once again encounter the people behind the food.  And thus was born his latest Food Network special, Feasting on Asphalt, which premiered July 29.  Once again he set out, this time on his motorcycle (another passion), to meander along the less traveled byways.  At first, he was concerned that he might not encounter the down-home hospitality of his childhood memories.  But just three days into his trip, it happened.  As he was checking into a tiny hotel in a small South-Carolina town, he caught the unmistakable smell of curry.  When he commented to the desk clerk that it smelled good, the gentleman said that it was his wife’s soup, and then invited, “would you like to try some?”  They entered a small apartment behind the desk, and I must let Alton tell you what he experienced in his own words:

“What soup! A yogurt-based curry concoction subtly spiced, fragrant with fresh herbs Mrs. Patel had snipped from her garden, it was one of the top-10 most delicious things I’ve ever tasted.  And there was that one blessed ingredient: the Patel’s graciousness.  Their willingness to share.  Their extraordinary hospitality.  In a tiny motel in Estill, I had a meal I’ll never forget, and made friends I’ll remember forever.”

One blessed ingredient:  graciousness.  All the other ingredients were superb, no doubt.  But that one blessed ingredient brought the whole recipe together – graciousness.  My mind went swiftly to our product, our “meal” if you will, that we offer here at Florida Hospital – what we call the “patient experience.”  That experience must contain the most excellent ingredients – clinical expertise and best practice, the finest medical technology delivered with world-class skill.  And it also needs to be infused with the “one blessed ingredient” of graciousness.  That speaks of our heart as employees – our passion to share the joy and love of Christ through our caring and hospitality.  Sprinkle the patient experience with that kind of graciousness, and you’ve got a meal to remember.

Can I share a dream?  To borrow a phrase from Alton Brown, I envision every patient discharged from Florida Hospital reflecting like this:  “In a tiny (large) hospital in Orlando, I had a patient experience I’ll never forget, and made friends I’ll remember forever.”  Big dream?  Sure.  But it can begin right now with the patient in your care, the co-worker you are teamed with, the visitor in the hallway.  Extend graciousness to all you come in contact with.  It’s a recipe for touching lives with the healing love of Christ through you.  And that smells wonderful!!

“He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.” (Psalm 111:4, NIV)   

Todd Chobotar
Mission Development
Florida Hospital