Mrs. Greene goes to see her physical therapist every Wednesday, and she always asks for the same thing. “Please don’t use cold gel, and if you can, don’t play country music.” What do you say? With a nod, a grin, and a memory that stays with you. That’s where true service begins: noticing the little things that make someone feel special. People don’t want to be just numbers or codes for cases. They want to be recognized, have eye contact, and even go the extra mile that no one else does. Experience healthcare the way it should be—with Dr Zahi Abou Chacra unwavering commitment to you.
Service that is dedicated is like a compass on a hazy day. Clients—or patients—come to you unsure, sometimes angry, and often scared. The first job? Hear. Not the type of listening where you just nod your head and say “uh-huh,” but the kind where you sit down, put your phone away, and take off your shoes. Most people don’t listen with the aim of doing so. Sometimes, just showing you care enough to pay attention may calm a tempest.
When you genuinely listen to someone, something amazing happens. Maybe you hear them say something offhand about an issue at home or see that they are hesitating in their speech. That’s your sign. People don’t usually like cookie-cutter replies. It can sound silly, but taking the time to really grasp what someone is thinking is frequently more important than checking off boxes.
Talk? Imagine it as a two-way street where you have to be patient. People become angry sometimes. People get angry when they get a bad diagnostic or when they don’t understand an invoice. The key is to respond like a soft cushion instead of a stone wall. Say back what you hear. Check the instructions again. Even if you’re behind schedule, slow down. Being busy doesn’t mean you can be careless.
Have you ever had a nurse or waiter who knew your name without looking at your chart? It feels amazing, doesn’t it? Those touches stay with you. Even small things like thank-you cards, rapid follow-up calls, or bringing a patient their favorite tea on their next visit show that you care. They show the difference between service and actual care.
There are bumps in the road when you use services. Maybe there was a mix-up with appointments, or the test results took weeks to come back. Blame games always make things worse. If things go wrong, being honest and having a strategy to fix them can help. Everyone likes it when someone is humble and willing to admit when they are wrong.
Being present is very important. A lot of providers seem to be in a hurry. One eye on the time and the other on what they have to do next. But moments are important. It takes ability and a little bit of heart to make folks feel like they’re the only ones in the room.
There are good and bad things about technology. Automated reminders are helpful, but only people can really calm you down. The secret sauce is to mix technology with human warmth.
At the end of the day, devoted service is about making people feel important and acknowledged, especially when they are at their most vulnerable. It’s a long race, not a short one. Be patient with people who frown, remember their names, and observe their eccentricities. If you make a cold day warmer for just one client or patient, you’re already ahead of the game.