Barbara Breland of Ascension Providence honored for ministry to others

Most people, when they’ve had an illness and spent time in a hospital, remember their caregivers such as nurses, doctors or other healthcare technicians. Barbara Breland, however, is proof that caregiving goes beyond just those providing direct care. As an Environmental Services Tech at Ascension Providence in Waco, she has touched the lives of patients and coworkers alike, and was recently recognized with a ceremony, commemorative shadow box and blessing by hospital administrators, chaplains and staff.

Barbara Breland has been part of the Environmental Services team at Ascension Providence since 2007. She has touched many lives through her ministry of handing out wooden crosses and beaded angels and praying with patients and associates.

“Many know about Barbara and her ministry of prayer and blessing people with reminders of faith with her beaded angels and wooden crosses, and it’s exciting that now everyone will know,” said Robin Mitchell, Community Relations Manager at Ascension Providence. “I was actually a recipient of that blessing. I had just been diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and was about to start my treatments. Barbara came up to me in the cafeteria and put her hand on my shoulder and said, ‘You don’t know me but I know what you are going through. I am praying for you every day.’ And she gave me an angel. I cried as I put it on my badge. It is still there today, five years later,” Robin said. “When we heard about other coworkers’ and patients’ stories and combined with her BEE Award recognition, it sparked an idea amongst several people in honoring Barbara and ensuring that her ministry can be remembered and carried on as a part of Ascension Providence’s history.”

The Shadow Box, in the hospital’s main lobby, is a compilation of Barbara’s ministry at Ascension Providence and represents her freely sharing her faith with those going through the most trying of times. It includes pictures, examples of her beaded angels and wooden cross and a plaque detailing how she has touched others’ lives.

Several examples of Barbara’s compassionate care of others were highlighted at the recent ceremony. According to one patient: “Today marks one year since everything changed for me. So many people have helped me along the way and the staff at both hospitals were phenomenal. Especially one lady, Mrs. Barbara, she cleaned my room at Ascension Providence. She gave me this cross that had been prayed over. I love it. It has been by my side all throughout this journey. She came in every day and worried about me, told me about her childhood in California, her papa, her kids. And she always told me to keep this cross close by. When I was transferred out someone told her I was leaving and she came rushing in, fussing at the EMTs to cover me with a blanket because it was cold out. She is a true angel to me and no doubt to others she helps every day. I’ll cherish this gift from her always.”

In 2018, Barbara was honored with the BEE Award. Recipients of this award are nominated by fellow associates or patients for those who go above and beyond in their work. (BEE stands for Be Exceptional Everyday.) “Barbara exemplifies our Ministry’s Mission, not only to our patients but also to coworkers and peers,” said Norma Frazier in Nursing Administration, as part of Barbara’s BEE Award nomination. “When I was going through my cancer obstacle, Barbara stopped me in the hallway one day. Now, I must have looked like I was having ‘A Day’ because Barbara asked how I was doing and during our conversation she gave me an angel to hang on my badge,” Norma said. “She told me she would be praying for me and that I now will always have an angel watching over me. That meant so much,” she said. “Later, I found out that she had given my husband an angel as well and prayed for his strength so he could keep me going.”

Lakemisha Wilson, also in Environmental Services, said she loved getting to know Barbara and how she cares for others so selflessly. “Barbara was in a patient’s room cleaning,” Lakemisha said. “The patient was not expected to live and the patient's best friend was sitting with her. Seeing how distraught the friend was, Barbara gave her a wooden cross to hold while she prayed over her friend,” she said. The friend reflected on how Barbara’s simple act of compassion meant so much to her that soon after, she made a donation to Chaplain Services to ensure that the crosses at Ascension Providence would always be available for other patients. “She was so inspired by Barbara and her ministry that she also purchased her own crosses and hands them out as she prays with others, and carries the cross from Barbara in her purse to this day,” said Lakemisha.

Barbara exemplifies our Core Values on a daily basis, especially our value of Reverence, which is defined as respect and compassion for the dignity and diversity of life. Barbara has answered the call to serve for all of those we are privileged to care for in our community.