John F.KennedyBuffey

“It’s important to get out of our boxesand see the rest ofthe world.”

John F. Kennedy Buffey knows what it means toovercome adversity. “In high school I would’ve beenvoted least likely to succeed,” said John. “Having hada tough beginning, I felt fearful and wounded. By thetime I graduated from high school, I could barelyread or write, and I had no purpose or goals in life.”

Finding strength through his Christian faith, Johnnow helps others through their most challengingmoments. Besides being a File Clerk here at KaiserPermanente, he is a pastor and a volunteer chaplainwith the Petaluma Police Department where his workincludes grief counseling and notifying a family of theloss of a loved one.

“We’re the liaison between the police and victims,”John explained about his role as chaplain. “We try to bring stability, hope and comfort to people indifficult times.”

“John gives so much of himself to the organizationand the community,” said John’s manager, OutpatientMedical Records Assistant Supervisor Sontos Hayes.“He’s truly awesome!”

John is also active in Serve International, a Christianorganization that offers humanitarian aid in LatinAmerica. Service teams provide medical care, dentalcare, and educational programs for children there.

“People there will walk six hours just to be seen by a doctor,” said John, who credits his outreachactivities with making him a positive person. “Youwitness things like that, and you come back changed.”

KathyPlace, RN

“I’ve known since Iwas five years old that I wanted to be a nurse.”

“I love helping girls believe in themselves,” said Kathy Place, RN, an OB/GYN Charge Nurse at Kaiser Permanente.

As a young girl growing up in a divorced family in the 1950s, Kathy felt stigmatized. “There was littleopportunity for girls who couldn’t afford dancing ormusic lessons to build their confidence, and girls didn’tplay on sports teams like they do now,” Kathy noted.

At the time, two kind Brownie scout leaders gave Kathy the encouragement she needed to believe in herown ability.

Although times have changed, Kathy knows first-handthat girls still need role models, and she makes surethat she’s there for them. She has been a nurse formore than 30 years now, and she especially encouragesher younger patients. As a grandmother of three, shealso passes along her wisdom to the youngsters in herown family. And she’s still a Girl Scout, giving to girlsthe way the Brownie leaders gave to her.

“She has a wonderful mothering way, especially withour teens,” said Kathy’s manager Linda Troutfetter,RN, OB/GYN Manager. “Her caring shines throughall aspects of her work.”

“It does take a village to raise a child,” said Kathy.“Someone took time for me and it made a big difference. I just want to give that back.”

MaryPatane, PT

“I love the elderly,” said Mary Patane, PhysicalTherapist at Kaiser Permanente. “It is a joy toexperience their sense of humor. They say whatever is on their minds. They don’t hold back.”

Every Monday, Mary and a friend visit elderly andinfirm patients in nearby care homes. They sing, theyread, they listen, and they hug. And the residents,some of whom have no other visitors, cherish theircompany. Big smiles and warm hugs tell Mary’s heartthese patients are eager for love and attention.

It was working at a convalescent home when she was sixteen that inspired Mary to become a physicaltherapist. The elderly appealed to her even then.“They were so funny and had led such fascinatinglives,” said Mary. “In our culture we tend not tosee them. In other cultures, the elders are put onpedestals because they’re the wise ones.”

“Mary’s a good Samaritan. Lots of people do thingsfor their own egos, but she shuns attention,” said her Physical Therapy Department Manager, ChrisMcAdam, PT.

Mary urges everyone to remember their elderlyneighbors and relatives. She reminds us of theimportance of human contact. “A hug can makesomeone’s day,” she said. “Touch is so healing.Doing this work has changed my life for the better.”

“Seniors are thewise ones; they’vechanged my lifefor the better.”

BobKiefer

“I can’t save theworld, but I can helpone family build ahouse.”

A 28-year veteran at Kaiser Permanente, Bob Kiefer is aChief Engineer renowned for his ability to fix almostanything. And it shows. As supervisor of operation,maintenance, and repair, he keeps things humming. “Iwant patients and staff to come to a building wherethings look nice and run smoothly,” said Bob.

These talents, along with a penchant for safety, serve him well elsewhere in his life.

In 1985, Bob learned from news reports on televisionthat a major earthquake had devastated the area in and around Mexico City. He was so moved that hevolunteered to help rebuild a community hospital in Lázaro Cárdenas, one of the cities affected by the quake.

That was his first international mission. Since then, Bob has volunteered in Mexico on numerousoccasions and continues to do so. Twice a year heoffers his skills to poor communities in Tijuanathrough the non-denominational, non-profitorganization Esperanza, which helps poor familiesbuild homes.

“Bob always puts others ahead of himself,” said hismanager Carry Wicht, Facility Services Manager. “He is consistently wonderful.”

“There is such poverty in Mexico,” said Bob. “Familiessometimes save for years to buy land and materials, andwe help them build houses. They get their dream – ahouse. I get the satisfaction of seeing their smiles.”

JohnFreedman,MD

Even though he has no paid employees and his office ishis dining room table, John Freedman, MD, ChiefAnesthesiologist at Kaiser Permanente, has made aworldwide impact with his non-profit MedicalExchange International (MEI).

Founded by Dr. Freedman in 1999, this smallcharitable organization donates medical educationmaterial as well as medical supplies and equipment tocountries in need.

During his visits to developing countries as a medicalvolunteer, Dr. Freedman noticed the impracticality oflarge (though well-intended) donations by someorganizations. “In Africa, you see a $1 millionoperating room go unused because no one knows howto maintain it,” said Dr. Freedman. “Smaller items forwhich there is a clear need are frequently of greaterservice.”

For instance, at the National Oncology Institute inCuba, doctors in the pediatric ward were unable toadminister drugs requiring a precise dosage becausethey lacked proper tubing for their intravenous infusionpumps. This deficiency was crippling. MEI obtainedand donated the correct tubing. By asking hospitals andclinics about their specific needs and working to fillthem, the organization plays a crucial role in savinglives.

Dr. Freedman has also helped raise funds for pediatriccataract surgery in Vietnam, treated meningitis inBrazil, and taught in Zambia and Tanzania.

He has introduced many medical professionals toMEI’s projects. “To be able to involve others who alsoget satisfaction from this work is wonderful.”

“In today’s worldcommunity, we’re allcalled to contributeto others in need.”