Hero in translation: First-grader Ali Deen, 8, singled out for EMS award

by Jenna Mink, The Daily News, originally published on 3/14/2011

When Caroline Millette started two years ago teaching English to a young student from Iraq, she did not know he would soon be rewarded for using those language skills in an intense situation.

Ali Deen, 8, a first-grader at Briarwood Elementary School, helped translate a 911 call a few months ago after his mother fell at his family’s home. The Medical Center’s Emergency Management Service is rewarding Ali for his actions.

“My mom fell down, and we called the doctor,” Ali said. “And it’s OK.”

His mother recovered, and Ali will receive his award Thursday at Briarwood. EMS specialists reach out to the public and venture to schools, churches and other organizations to teach people about the importance of calling 911.

They spoke to a group, which included Ali, a few months ago, teaching the audience when it’s appropriate to call 911 and how to communicate with the dispatcher and answer his or her questions, said Randy Fathbruckner, director of The Medical Center EMS.

After a dispatcher recounted her conversation with Ali, they discovered that he had attended one of their sessions. EMS specialists then decided to recognize Ali.

“Children are very receptive to (our lectures). They’re fascinated by police, fire and EMS anyway,” Fathbruckner said. “It was obvious that this one really paid attention.”

Tiffany Merten, a communication specialist with The Medical Center, remembers getting a call from a scared child whose mother had fallen down the stairs.

“I was taking calls that night, and I received a call from a little boy,” she said. “He did a great job of answering my questions and was very helpful.”

Ali, the oldest of four children, was inside the house when his mother fell. He remembers his baby sister crying on the floor, and his brothers were outside. After his father dialed 911, Ali stepped in.

“We don’t have a lot of child callers and the fact that he took the initiative and was able to translate and let us know what was going on was amazing to me,” Merten said. “He remained calm and did what we asked him to do. I was really impressed.”

Ali’s family immigrated to Bowling Green from Iraq a couple of years ago. At the time, Ali only spoke Arabic, but he has picked up some English with the help of Millette, an English as a Second Language teacher at Briarwood.

“He’s learned a lot and grown very strong in his English speaking skills both written and verbal,” she said. “It’s amazing how far he’s come.”

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Working with hospital volunteers is rewarding to Hall

by Alyssa Harvey, The Daily News, originally published on 3/5/2011

“Every encounter counts” is sort of a motto for Emily Hall.

As director of service excellence and volunteer service at Commonwealth Health Corp., she helps educate the staff about customer service.

“We know that employees are hired for abilities in training, but we feel strongly that it must be delivered in a courteous, respectful manner,” she said. “We help with concerns patients and their families may have.”

She also places volunteers in various departments in some CHC facilities where they can assist the staff.

“I have a fun time. I really enjoy recognizing volunteers,” she said. “They are such a faithful group of individuals. They are dedicated to volunteer work.”

Hall’s original career was not in health care. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in consumer resource management from Purdue University. She taught at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif., earned her doctorate and was on the faculty at Oklahoma State University. Eventually, she and her husband moved to Bowling Green. They were both employed by Western Kentucky University, she as coordinator of an early childhood grant and he as chairman of the Consumer Family Sciences Department.

After years of working in the education field, Hall began a new career at The Medical Center as a volunteer in the volunteer services office before becoming a part-time employee. She was hired full time about four years ago.

“My husband and I retired from Western, and we had a friend who wanted me to volunteer here,” she said.

At The Medical Center, volunteers work at a variety of departments, such as outpatient and ambulatory services, where they escort family members to see patients, or the front desk, where they may greet patients and their families and friends.

“I very much love working with volunteers. It’s very rewarding,” she said. “They give of themselves. They are the busiest people I know. They are contributing to the community with volunteer work.”

Hall works with the volunteers to find out what their interests are and tries to find an area that would be a good fit for them. They go through special training within that area and are asked to work at least one-half day a week.

“We have a few who work longer than that,” she said.

The volunteers come in a wide range of ages. There is even a summer program for teens ages 14 through 18.

“We place them in some of the clinical units,” she said.

Hall said she enjoys her dual role in customer service and volunteer services.

“It’s a good fit,” she said. “I enjoy the challenge of both of these areas.”

Copyright 2011 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)