Living and Working the Mission - Esau Allen

An Environment of Caring

 

Esau Allen starts his shift at midnight, supervising a crew of 19 Environmental Services (ES) professionals. Like everyone else at St. Francis Hospital, the ES staff team takes its work quite seriously.

“People tend to think of Environmental Services (ES) as the people who keep the rooms clean,” says Esau, who speaks with a charming Jamaican accent. “But that’s only half the story. We’re there to help the patients and their families in any way we can.”

That means bringing an extra blanket or pillow if needed, or finding extra chairs for family gatherings in a patient’s room. “Sometimes we’ll walk the family back to their car, just to be sure they can find their way,” says Esau. “We extend ourselves because we want everyone who comes to our hospital to feel well cared for.”

Esau began his time at St. Francis eight years ago, starting as an Environmental Aide. He was subsequently upgraded to Lead and most recently promoted to Supervisor. During the past eight years, he’s done a lot more than clean the rooms. He’s saved a life.

“We spend a lot of time in the rooms and in the hallways, so we have a lot of contact with the patients,” says Esau. “I once saw a gentleman in his bed who appeared to be struggling, so I immediately alerted the floor nurse. Turned out he was having a heart attack, but fortunately the clinical team jumped to and was able to save him.”

The ES team also plays an indispensable role in keeping Catholic Health’s inpatient spaces germ free.

“We’re constantly disinfecting the doorknobs, bedrails, countertops, bathrooms, touchscreens, etc.,” says Esau. “When I leave my shift in the morning and see how clean and orderly our hospital is, I know I’m making a difference.”

That attention to detail is a key factor in why St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® is consistently honored with The Leapfrog Group’s ‘A’ Grade for Safety. The hospital has earned a total of 22—more than any other hospital in New York State.

“I can tell you for sure that Catholic Health takes care of its people—that goes for the patients, their families and the staff,” says Esau. “We all feel like part of a great team.”

 

Want to join the team? Apply at jobs.chsli.org

Read more Living and Working the Mission stories.