Meaningful Reflections: May 2025 Human Sunshine Awards 

By Kim Crawford Meeks
Spiritual Health & Counseling Manager

We never know when someone will cross our pathway who will need our support. I was with a family recently who told their story about an extremely difficult night and two of our employees who they met along the journey.  

The employees were two of our security guards at University Hospital who went above and beyond their call of duty. The family told me of the incredible experience they had as they entered the hospital late one night. The guards were Brendan McLaughlin and Tyrone Swopes, who provided comfort, compassion, encouragement, and support.  

The family explained that Brendan and Tyrone seemed to know exactly what they needed when they needed it, and the words to say that they needed to hear. Beyond words though, their presence and strength provided light to this family on a dark night. No matter our position in healthcare, no matter our position in this world, we all can be ready to provide hope and light as we meet others along the journey. We never know when we may need someone to be light for us. 

Congratulations, Brendan and Tyrone, and thank you for being human sunshine to those who enter our doors at University Hospital! 

What is your role at USA Health, and how long have you been with Providence and or USA Health? 

• Tyrone: 13 years  
• Brendan: 1.5 years 

What do you love about your job here? 

• Tyrone: "Getting to know the people here."  
• Brendan: "The people and helping others." 

Does your role impact patients, families, employees? If so, how? 

• Tyrone: "Yes, I try every day to meet them with a smile."  
• Brendan: "Yes, answering questions that they may have, directing them where they may go, and their safety." 

How do you find fulfillment in your role? 

• Tyrone: "Yes, just to be able to put a smile on someone's face when they are sad. That is fulfillment to me."  
• Brendan "Yes, it makes me very happy to help in any way that I can." 

Our theme for Spiritual Health and Counseling this year is "If you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine." When the world is bleak around you, how do you find the sunshine? 

• Tyrone: "I think about Jesus Christ when he brought joy to others by healing them."  
• Brendan: "Being very bright." 

Is there someone who you think of when you think of human sunshine? 

• Tyrone: "Ms. McLaughlin, Mr. Hughes, and Mr. Dexter."  
• Brendan: "Tim Dexter, Tim Hughes, and Tyrone Dexter." 

Is there a quote that brings you sunshine on a cloudy day? 

• Tyrone: "Psalm 23"  
• Brendan: "WWJD: What would Jesus do?" 

Learn more about Spiritual Health and Counseling at USA Health. Patients, family members, and USA Health associates are encouraged to call the Meaningful Reflections Line at 251-445-9016 for a daily recorded word of encouragement.