Mary Blake Meadows

 Auxiliary president moves outside her 'bubble'
to help patients

As a young candy striper and the daughter of a physician and a nurse, Mary Blake Meadows is no stranger to the medical field. In fact she is the only one in her family to not make medicine her career.

But after 12 years of volunteering in Parkland’s Emergency Room, it’s clear Meadows does have her family’s passion for helping others.

This year Meadows serves as president of the Parkland Auxiliary. In this role, she works closely with the Auxiliary, presides over all meetings and has general supervision over the organization whose activities benefit Parkland patients. Meadows also is on Parkland Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“Like so many of us, I lived in a bubble. I was in leadership positions but didn’t really know the people I was trying to help. I needed to rearrange my priorities. I couldn’t advocate for others unless I knew their story.”

Since then, Meadows got to know many Parkland patients, sharing time with them while they wait for much needed care.

“I think being in the Emergency Room, people have a lot of time to sit and wait so I talk to them and they just want someone to listen. I have heard stories that brought tears to my eyes.”

But there’s also happiness among the hustle and bustle of one of the country’s busiest ERs. You need a “can do attitude,” Meadows adds.

“You can’t just stand around in the ER and wait for someone to tell you what to do here,” she laughs. “You have to jump in and do it. If that means emptying a bed pan so be it. If you think about it, volunteers are some of the best ‘employees’ because we don’t have to be here. I come here because I love it and it leaves a warm spot in my heart. It’s good for your soul.”

- Lynsey Purl