Moments That Matter

Sometimes the smallest gesture in life can have the biggest impact, something Bob Samartino, RN, has witnessed first-hand for the last 11 years. 

Samartino’s story begins in 1984 when he was just 19. He was attending Central Connecticut State University when he decided he wanted to serve his country. 

“I decided to join the Army National Guard, so I enlisted at the infantry unit in Bristol, which is where I am from,” explained Samartino, who served until 1990 and now works in Pavilion D at MidState Medical Center. 

Years later, while helping his parents through medical issues, he took an interest in healthcare and enrolled in nursing school, graduating in 2009. He was hired the same year at MidState, where it didn’t take long for him to have memorable interactions with patients that would trigger a sequence of events nobody — including Samartino — expected. 

“I would start talking to men or women I was caring for and learn that they were veterans, and I wanted to do something for them to help make them feel more at ease,” he said. “I decided to buy a bunch of small American flags. I stashed them in my locker at work, and when I knew one of my patients was a veteran, I’d give them a flag.” 

This went on for seven years, getting the attention of colleagues and managers who liked the idea so much, they, too, began passing out flags to patients who served our country and expanded the program to The Hospital of Central Connecticut. 

Fast-forward to this past fall when Hartford HealthCare standardized the recognition system-wide with “Stars & Stripes for Service” on Veterans Day. Every patient who served our country received an American flag or similar gift of gratitude that day, depending on the care setting. Since it’s important to recognize our veterans beyond just one day, some locations adopted the program year-round.

When patients at Backus Hospital are discharged, they are asked to fill out a satisfaction survey that covers their experience from care to food to cleanliness. 

Over the years, one name comes up over and over: Roger Street. 

Street has been an environmental services aide at Backus for 20 years. The 62-year-old said he loves his job, his coworkers and, especially, his patients. 

“Housekeeper Roger was very sweet, did a good job cleaning my room and always asked if I needed anything before he left my room,” read one survey. 

Street currently works on the oncology floor at the hospital, where a patient can be admitted for many days at a time. 

“Roger from housekeeping was always polite, professional and friendly,” another survey said. 

William Gerjes, East Region director of environmental services, said Street “makes an extra effort to get to know the patients. He has an awesome heart, he’s caring and loving.” He added that Street makes the effort to be on hand when a patient is being discharged, to say goodbye. 

“Roger with housekeeping was excellent, always let me know when he was coming into the room. Kept the room neat and tidy. An amazing employee,” a patient wrote.

Street said hearing how patients mention him by name as doing a good job “makes me feel good.”

“When I clean, I try and talk to them as I’m working. Sometimes, they don’t get many visitors so I talk with them,” he said.