Showing Compassion During Trying Times

While COVID-19 has presented many significant challenges throughout the year, it has also shown us how creative, compassionate and caring our colleagues can be.

Jouana Huston, Sodexo General Manager at Oneida Hospital, was recently awarded the Sodexo CARES Award for her actions when a colleague, Ann, was diagnosed with a terminal illness and admitted to their hospital as a patient during COVID-19. 

When Ann was diagnosed, she did not have any family in the area and kept asking the nursing staff if she could see Jouana. The hospital was not accepting visitors so at first, they could not see each other.

As her condition worsened, Jouana went to the administration and sought out permission to visit Ann. Jouana and June, a Sodexo retail manager, were permitted to see her and provide comfort before she passed a few days later. 

Sodexo presented Jouana with the Sodexo Seniors CARES Award for her act of compassion during this immensely challenging time. I took some time to speak with Jouana about this award and her 33-year career with Sodexo that took her from food service worker to retail manager, production manager, and now general manager. Here’s what she had to say!

What was it like to win the CARES Award? 

JH: Winning the CARES Award was a pleasant surprise. It was nice to have my manager recognize an act of kindness. It was not expected but very appreciated.

Tell me about your career path at Sodexo? 

JH: I have worked in healthcare since I was 17 years old. I started as a food service worker and cook while attending college. Later, I was offered a managerial position. 

I love what I do no matter how crazy some days may be. I do it all for the residents, and they appreciate everything we do for them. When they enter a nursing home, they lose access to certain things but food is something they still have control over and can enjoy! 

Why Sodexo? 

JH: I love Sodexo because they are a wealth of knowledge in our business and I believe they truly care about the people we serve. As we say, residents are at the heart of everything we do. 

This is the perfect job for anyone who wants to give back. The residents make me smile and have so many great stories to share. It warms my heart to know I brighten their days by providing food with a pinch of love.

Plus, Sodexo wants to see you to grow in your career and managers are eager to help you to achieve that goal!

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While we’ve all experienced many challenges this year, it’s clear how much Jouana cares for her employees and the patients she serves each day. For more stories like Jouana’s, check out our blog to read heartwarming examples our how our Sodexo family has continued to spread cheer during COVID-19.