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Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC
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 “When you see people make progress and smile, it is a great reward,” says Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC about her new ministry in pastoral care at Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, IL. Holy Family specializes in providing care for patients with medically complex conditions that need to be hospitalized for an extended period of time. We offer comprehensive care for patients with acute illness and serous injuries. Sr. Bridget explains that, “80 % of our patients are on a respirator and have an average length of stay of 30 days and in some cases longer. Currently, we have patients who range in age from 14 to 92, many of whom have been involved in serious accidents and have had severe head and spine trauma. Our patients are those who need help with wound care, kidney diseases, stroke, cardiopulmonary conditions and infections. We do everything to get them up, out and about.” Our interdisciplinary team of experts uses a wide range of specialized services and advance technology to promote optimal recovery. Spirituality is considered a vital part of the healing process.
Because so many of the patients are on respirators, communication with the patients is challenging because they are unable to speak. Sometimes, Sr. Bridget has to use sign language, write on paper or take a best guess in order to interpret a patient’s needs. She has found her multi-language fluency to be a great help. Holy Family serves a large Hispanic population. The patient and their families “find it reassuring to learn that I speak their language,” remarks Sr. Bridget. “Just being there for the patients and really listening to them is the most important thing. The patients often grab my hand and won’t let go. I ask them ‘are you scared?’ and they will nod, ‘yes’ – reassurance and presence is a big part of what I do as a member of the pastoral care team,” explains Sr. Bridget. She is one of two full-time pastoral care providers, along with two part time members of the spiritual services team. “As a member of the Pastoral Care team, I am an integral part of ethical consults and family conferences along with speech, respiratory, occupational and physical therapists, dieticians and social service, case manager, wound specialist and pharmacist, in addition to the medical staff,” notes Sr. Bridget. Sister Bridget enjoys working at Holy Family because the longer length of stay enables her to get to know a patient and his or her family; it allows her to build a relationship. Pastoral Care is seen as an important and essential part of the care and support provided to patients at Holy Family. A chaplain will bring communion on a daily basis to those of the Catholic faith. There is a daily mass and prayer that is broadcast over the public address system. In the course of her work, Sr. Bridget sees many critically ill or injured people. Sometimes, she has to collect her thoughts before entering a patient’s room because of the severity of their injuries. Recently, she encountered a patient, a gentleman of 41 years of age, who mentioned that he wanted a chaplain who thinks positively. He told Sr. Bridget that he looks out his window at a cemetery and envies all who are buried there because they have peace of mind. Sr. Bridget inquired of the man, “You don’t have peace of mind?” Given that opening, the man went on to tell her his life story. Seeing that he was deeply troubled, Sr. Bridget asked him what he liked in life. He told her… that he liked chicken and rice. She encouraged him by saying, if you start thinking positively, “when you feel better and you can eat, I will cook chicken and rice for you!” Now, each time she sees the man she smiles and says, “I may just have to cook that chicken and rice for you!” Sr. Bridget pauses and reflects, “There are just so many stories I could tell.” Clearly, Sr. Bridget is happy to be present to Holy Family patients in whatever way best promotes their healing and well-being. |
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