I made sure a desperate patient didn’t miss their most important connection.

In his 15 years working in law enforcement at Henry Ford Health, Officer Anthony Fields has had several opportunities to make a difference in patients’ lives.

“When I first came here, I understood the mission,” Anthony says. “People are coming here in need of medical care, or they have a family member in need. The job is to help people.”

When COVID-19 arrived many things changed, but the need to help people didn’t.

In fact, this time gave people like Anthony more opportunities to show compassion to patients and families—in some surprising ways.

One day, Anthony was working at Henry Ford Hospital when he encountered a woman in need. Her husband was in the hospital and she had lost her cell phone. At the time, family members weren’t allowed to visit due to COVID-19 safety protocols. She was frantic, because she had no way of communicating with her husband. And with no transportation, since she had been dropped off by a family member, she felt like she was out of options.

After Anthony spoke with her and learned about her situation, he took it upon himself to help her out. He got her information and worked with the phone company to buy a new phone with his own personal funds, then get it activated with her phone number so that the two could stay connected.

The woman was surprised and in disbelief that someone would go out of their way to do this. But to Anthony, it felt like a small gesture and the right thing to do. And at the end of the day, just part of what it means to be an employee at Henry Ford Health.

“I’ve found working here to be a rewarding experience,” Anthony says. “It really makes you feel good as a person when you can make a difference in a person’s situation.”