The Value of the Whole
Tony Nixon, a member of the Ryan Hospital family and
an important “part of the whole.”
I am unapologetically shrewd at managing my inbox. I read. I delete. But one recent email I saved. It was Ryan Hospital’s weekly message, which recognizes teams and clinicians for a job well done. I wanted to linger on a particular shout-out.
Tony Nixon, a parking attendant at our Philadelphia small animal hospital, penned a letter to the hospital’s leadership team about what he sees every day in our cramped parking lot off Spruce Street.
“The School of Veterinary Medicine’s operations are fascinating to watch,” wrote Nixon, a beloved first face many visitors encounter and whose smiles and compassion brighten our days. “I have been told amazing stories of medical accomplishments in the face of seemingly insurmountable medical conditions.”
“This current environment has been a challenge,” continued Nixon. “After all this time, those involved have evolved and risen to the challenges! I’ve seen team efforts grow, pulling together each one’s strengths. In life, you see some are great at counting the parts, but do not understand the value of the whole. This [Penn Vet] team certainly gets the importance of the whole.”
Nixon’s sentiment is a testament to Penn Vet’s unwavering mission — stepping up for the animals we love who give us so much love in return.
So, thank you, Mr. Nixon, and your parking colleague Matt Stanbaugh, for making animals and their humans feel welcome here. And thank you for reminding me that we are all indeed a part of the whole.
Enjoy the issue.
Martin J. Hackett, Editor
mhackett@vet.upenn.edu