Parkland Health Center is pleased to announce that Andy Fernandez was selected as the Our BJC Values Employee for the month of September 2021. Andy is a Physical Therapist and has worked at Parkland Health Center for 1 year.
Andy’s nomination reads in part, "Andy is an excellent example of living our values. He is a team player, often staying past his shift to treat high priority patients. He is a kind, compassionate, and hardworking Physical Therapist and is committed to providing excellent care to our community."
“I was definitely surprised,” Andy said upon learning he had been selected as September’s BJC Values Employee. “My first thought was that there are so many hard-working, dedicated employees at this hospital who deserve to be recognized, and it was truly an honor to be chosen.”
Andy stated his favorite part of his job is having the opportunity, every day, to make a positive impact on someone's life. “If I can help turn just one patient's hospital stay into a positive experience, then I consider my day a success,” he said. “This can't be accomplished without collaboration with other professionals on the treatment team, which is also something I really enjoy.”
Andy decided to enter the healthcare field while completing observation hours in a Physical Therapy clinic while getting his undergraduate degree. “I got to witness a miraculous recovery in which a patient in her mid-20s went from being mostly wheelchair bound to surprising her family on Christmas by walking into the house,” he said. “A desire to be able to help people in that capacity, combined with a passion for movement and exercise, provided me all the motivation I needed to become a physical therapist.”
As part of BJC HealthCare, Parkland Health Center employees exhibit our shared values of compassion, respect, excellence, safety, and teamwork.