August 19, 2024

When asked about her 48-year career with Norton King’s Daughters’ Health, Patty Jones quieted, looked down and then reached up to slowly wipe away a tear.

“It’s the patients,” she said in her customary gentle voice. “People are often nervous when they walk into the hospital.  I felt like I could help ease their way through it.  I could be a calming force, offer a smile and help them feel welcome.  I could be there for them.”

For the first 38 years of her career, Patty accomplished those goals every day by working in admitting and registration.  She began her legacy in the emergency room in 1976 and then served as admitting supervisor for nearly four decades.

“I’ve worked with some very caring people,” Patty explained. “I enjoyed working with the doctors and nurses on the floor, as I helped managed bed flow.  It helped me feel useful.”

Interestingly enough, Patty initially had no intentions of working in health care after graduating from Switzerland County High School and earning her associates degree in accounting from Ivy Tech Community College – which, at the time, was located inside the former Madison High School in downtown Madison, now known as the Riverfront Apartments.

Patty has since grown to love her life and career in the health field.  Among her most poignant memories: being present for the mother of a terminally ill pediatric patient who passed away during one her visits to the hospital.  The family was new to the area and Patty was one of the few familiar faces they encountered along the way.  A week after her daughter passed, the mother returned to thank Patty for her kindness, sharing these words: “I’m glad you were with us, you were someone we knew.”

Beyond her day-to-day tasks at the time, Patty took a lead role when the hospital implemented the original Meditech software system in 1996.  She not only helped coordinate registration applications, she participated in variety of training sessions, traveling to Boston, Massachusetts on multiple occasions.  The Meditech process renewed itself again in 2012 shortly before the hospital transitioned to the hilltop in February of 2013.  Patty again worked closely with the implementation team.

While difficult for many to understand, Patty said the move was necessary; the downtown facility had simply outgrown its ability to handle the technology requirements of modern health services.

“I’m glad I got to help with that,” Patty recalled of the move. “It was a huge project and a huge undertaking, but it was needed.  The biggest challenge wasn’t actually moving the patients.  It was the phones and computers. It also took a while for everyone to know where things were.”

About a year after new hospital opened, Patty transitioned into her current role as Revenue Cycle Training Coordinator, a position she has now held for 10 years.  It has allowed her to slow down a little and train new staff members on the ever-changing insurance and registration process.  She still enjoys meeting new people and helping serve the community.  Patty holds monthly training sessions and serves as both a mentor and resource for new team members.

“It’s been a good transition,” Patty said. “My role now is a little more relaxed.  I also get to do a lot of problem solving, which is something I enjoy.”

A less frenetic schedule has allowed Patty to serve on both the Spiritual Ambassador and Patient Recognition Teams, activities she treasures.  As Patty notes, she feels blessed that Norton King’s Daughters’ Health has retained its Christian values; her Faith is important to her.  Patty is also a Norton KDH employee member for the Norton Healthcare Foundation.

Looking ahead, Patty has not made any decisions regarding retirement.  She is excited to see Norton Healthcare’s Epic system installed, a major upgrade to the Meditech systems she once worked so hard to bring a board.

In her free time, Patty stays active.  She enjoys reading, shopping and getting together with family and friends.  She also relishes a variety of church activities and volunteering.

“I’m not one to stay at home that much,” Patty said, smiling.  “I would like to travel more.  I would love to make it to Hawaii.”

To know Patty is to know a kind and generous soul who connects with everyone she meets, offering a welcoming smile and genuine hospitality.

“Working for an organization that does so much for the community is rewarding,” Patty said. “Not many communities our size have a hospital that does what we do.  I’ve never regretted working here.”