How Patient Transporter Loti Coffey’s love of children impacts her daily interactions with patients and staff
At Bethany Children’s Health Center, our employees truly are the heartbeat that drives the organization. Every day, through the care and service they provide, they live our mission of maximizing the potential of every child and exemplify our core values of compassion, integrity, excellence, service and stewardship. We hope you enjoy getting to know our amazing employees through our Heartbeat profiles.
This month, we recognize the contributions made by our Patient Transporters and Patient Activity Aides.
As a young girl in Austin, Texas, Loti Coffey’s dream was to own a carousel in Paris, France and make a living charging five cents a ride. She could imagine the joy those rides would bring to children, and that mission has stayed in her heart ever since. Today, as a Rehabilitation Transporter at Bethany Children’s Health Center, Loti brings smiles to the faces of many children daily as she gets them where they need to go.
Loti worked in the special education field for many years before coming to Bethany Children’s in January of 2006. She has always had a special affinity for children, saying, “Kids have always been a joy for me. They are so honest and funny.”
She recalls one story that perfectly illustrates that thought.
“I was taking a delightful child to the gym. He wanted to go outside, so he started putting his fingers in the spokes of the wheelchair. I stopped and said, ‘Brandon, where do your fingers belong?’ As loud as he could, he yelled, ‘outside!’”
While the role of a transporter might seem like a series of quick trips, or a walk from here to there, it goes much deeper. Loti knows that getting the children to their activities is an important part of their day and is something they happily look forward to. As the patients’ transporter, she balances the coming and going of dozens of patients daily, ensuring that they have everything they need to be successful and safe in their therapy sessions and activities.
“Loti is an invaluable member of the rehab and education team. She goes above and beyond to serve the patients, staff and visitors of Bethany Children’s in any way she can,” says Morgan Brumley, Complex Care Therapy Manager.
Inspired by the teamwork she experiences on the job, Loti says, “Everyone here chips in and is so helpful. If there’s a free moment, then I like to help out.”
Amber Searle, Inpatient Therapy/Education Manager, adds, “Loti is readily available to lend a hand, run an errand, or spend a little extra time giving the patients special attention. Loti is kind, attentive and generous, and her years of service have been an absolute blessing to all!”
Loti relies on her faith to guide her through each day, inspired by her favorite verse, Proverbs 3:5.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Fun Facts:
Something people might not know: “I was given my grandmother’s nickname. Only my closest friends call me Lotus Blossom.”
First Job: Sleep research lab at a VA Hospital in Houston, Texas
Favorite hobbies/ways to spend time: Taking dogs to different parks, reading, playing piano
Favorite Movie: It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World!
Favorite Food: “Anything super-spicy!”
Favorite Music: “Music by John Barry, like the movie scores for Somewhere in Time and Out of Africa.”
From the Bucket List: “Visit Glacier National Park”