A Rare Jewel
Date: May 25, 2006

There is an old tradition of naming women after character traits we value, like Honor, Faith, Chastity and Prudence or valuable metals and precious stones, like Goldie, Pearl or Jade. The Rubys of this world know they are treasured by their families for they are named for the rarest of gems. Then, there are those individuals who make such an impact on the people around them that perhaps a valuable gem should be named after that person.

That is the case with Stacey Beard, whose customer service and co-worker commitment have not gone unrecognized.

Her immediate supervisor says, “Stacey is the best good-will ambassador the practice could ever have.”

In an email nominating Stacey as a Floyd Hero, JoNell Biuso, office manager for Dr. Joseph Biuso’s practice, wrote that Stacey “is the essence of Southern hospitality and the perfect example of what a healthcare worker should be.”

She concluded that Stacey “is a rare jewel,” but not before providing a mountain of anecdotal evidence to support her glowing nomination.

For instance, when patients of Dr. Biuso can’t get to a pharmacy for their medicine, Stacey has, on more than one occasion, gotten the medicine and delivered it herself.

When another patient didn’t have any pajamas for a hospital stay, Stacey bought pajamas and delivered them directly to the patient’s hospital room.

On another occasion, Stacey noticed an elderly patient had lost a good bit of weight and realized this individual was not eating a balanced diet. So, Stacey went to the Floyd Medical Center cafeteria, and purchased a meal for the patient.

She also has scoured the Internet to find ways to get drug companies to donate medicine to those who can’t afford it.

And, she has done all of this at her own expense.

She’s equally as attentive to her co-workers.

If someone in the office has a need or a celebration, Stacey is there. 

She once borrowed a trailer and gathered household goods for a co-worker who was moving to a new home. 

Stacey regularly prepares wonderful home-cooked meals ­before work and brings them in for all the office to enjoy, and recently, when one co-worker learned she had a serious food allergy, Stacey bought cookbooks and special supplies so she could accommodate this difficult diet.

She always has a hug for those whose hearts are hurting from a recent loss, and she never fails to have an encouraging word for those who are down.

There may never be a gemstone named Stacey, but with a heart as big as all outdoors, it’s probably just as well. The most expensive diamonds are pretty small when you get right down to it. A more appropriate honor might be to rename the Grand Canyon or something equally majestic for Stacey, whose customer service and co-worker commitment far outshine the clearest ruby.

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