THE ALARM goes off, but you can’t stand the thought of getting ready for work yet. You snooze it, and 15 minutes later, the only thing that has changed is the time. You know you face a day filled with unhappy people, both the nameless and those you know well. Your only motivation is the stack of bills on the counter with fast-approaching due dates. You force yourself to get up and out the door one more time.
And what if you work at a hospital? No one enjoys walking through a hospital’s doors unless it’s to peek at a newborn baby. For all those other times, a visit to Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital may bring anxiety and confusion as you attempt to locate your patient or as you arrive for an outpatient procedure. But if you encounter Inia Arnold at the front desk, you’ll get the help you need with a dose of authentic enthusiasm and care.
Arnold’s done everything but surgery, she likes to say. She started in environmental services and later worked as a patient transporter for radiology and surgery and was a mental health tech. She’s worked in the lab, filed electrocardiograms, and performed secretarial tasks. She now operates the switchboard and welcomes you at the front door.
And while we often think it’s people that irritate us the most, people are what fuels Arnold’s energy for her work.
“I love my job, and I love people. I’m drawn to people,” she said. “Being able to help people, whether cleaning or talking, you’re still helping that person. You’re still meeting that person’s need,” she said.
Arnold cares for more than the needs of the patients and their friends and families; she cares for her coworkers and everyone coming and going through the hospital, like vendors. As a people-person, if they’re people, she’s their person — the one committed to making their day brighter by doing anything she can to assist them or encourage them.
“I’ve been here so long. I love the employees, and it feels like we’re family,” she said. “Then the families that come in, they’re just beside themselves. I’ve been the patient, too, and I know how that feels. And I’ve been the worried and concerned family member, so I know how that feels.”
Whether it’s sharing a prayer with someone whose loved one is facing a life-threatening situation or helping you find the room number of the patient you’re seeking, Arnold is there.
“You will never know how a smile feels to somebody coming in scared and nervous. Just your presence makes them feel better. When people have problems and they leave feeling better, it touches your heart. You just talk to them. Your smile may be the only one they see that day,” said Arnold.
Arnold’s personality shines brightly, and she quickly tells you the source of her light.
She said, “God blessed me when He put me at Vanderbilt Hospital. I think my faith has grown with my job. Both my faith in people and my faith in God have grown.”
It’s a cycle of blessings.
“It’s hard, but the people I touch, they touch me. And it’s just a reward,” said Arnold. “I get blessings every day from people, whether it be their big smile or a thank you. I know everyone has bad days or bad problems, but there’s always a blessing even though we may not see it.”
Her blessings continued when she was given a rocking chair for her 25th work anniversary.
“I have the most beautiful rocking chair. They let you choose what to engrave on the little gold plate, and I put ‘Queen Inia Rocks’ on it. The first thing I thought of was, ‘I’m going to rock my grandchildren.’ And I have,” Arnold said.
Queen Inia’s journey to her rocking chair throne began in September 1997 when her sister, Joann “Jo Jo” Painter, drove her to Tullahoma Harton Hospital to apply for a job. It’s a day she’ll never forget.
“She died the same day. She’s my angel, and I wouldn’t let her down by doing something foolish with my job. She’s part of it,” said Arnold.
The teenage kid who walked in and asked for a job matured during her years at the hospital.
“I have more integrity since I worked here,” said Arnold. “I have seen the integrity here — it’s all around,” she said. “I’m really blessed and fortunate that I’ve been placed here at the hospital. I feel there’s a reason I’m here, and I love it.”
Whatever the reason she’s there, the world is a little brighter because of it. GN