One Big Extended Family
As a family searches for answers in the wake of tragedy, the employees of SJCH rise to action
If you’ve met Brenda McVay, you know it.
Bubbling over with vigor for her job and the people she works with, Brenda—a certified pharmacy tech at San Joaquin Community Hospital—daily roams the halls of the hospital, distributing medications while excitedly chatting with nurses and patients. The spirit with which she goes about her routine is contagious. If you’re around her long enough, the message of being energized about life—and life’s work—is delivered crystal clear.
With Brenda, it’s all in a day’s work. And this day was no different—until a call from her daughter caused her phone to ominously chirp in the mid-afternoon.
“Hello, dear.”
“Mom…” her daughter said with a tone that betrayed her calm façade, “the house is on fire, you need to get home now.”
As she weaved in and out of traffic, Brenda downplayed the severity.
It’s probably just a little microwave smoke; maybe one of the kids overcooked pizza rolls again.
But upon rounding the corner of her quaint subdivision, the billowing smoke stated the seriousness of the situation. After returning home from school, Brenda’s 14-year-old grandson, Marques, had discovered the fire. Acting quickly, the brave youngster managed to get the dogs out of the house. Although he wasn’t seriously injured, the resulting combination of exhaustion and smoke intake had forced him to a gurney by the time Brenda finally arrived.
For the next few hours, Brenda and the McVay family stood helplessly at a safe distance, watching their entire life seemingly crumble.
Putting It Back Together—With a Little Help
Tragedy—as illustrated so often throughout human history—tends to bring out the best in us. For the employees of San Joaquin Community Hospital, Brenda’s situation was no different.
The first to arrive on the scene was Steve Valentich, Brenda’s boss and director of the SJCH Pharmacy, accompanied by his wife. As firemen worked to salvage treasured keepsakes, such as pictures and family heirlooms, Steve began placing them in his car for safe keeping.
“I told him not to do that since they would get his car all smoky,” Brenda said. “But he wouldn’t listen. From that point on, the generosity was like a snowball.”
From food and clothing to gift certificates and housewares, the SJCH family stepped up to meet the urgent needs of one of their own. On more than one occasion, Brenda’s recalls people that she didn’t know stopping her in the hallway with a hug, words of encouragement, and often, a little something extra.
“It’s pretty amazing when people that you don’t know just come up and hand you money in the hallway.” Brenda said. “The support has been overwhelming and just shows how good people can be. We never could have made it without everyone at [SJCH].”
Though the ordeal is not behind them as their house still must be rebuilt from the foundation up, Brenda and her family have seen how good can triumph, even in the worst of circumstances. And though Brenda has always enjoyed working at SJCH, as she says, this most recent outpouring of love only solidified the fact.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone that took us under thing wing during this difficult time. Everyone at [SJCH] is truly part of our family—there’s nowhere else I’d rather work. “
Today, if you’re lucky enough to run into Brenda during her rounds, you’ll notice an even higher level of passion and joy for her job and those around her.
As she says, “It’s all in a day’s work.”
