Marc Strong, Beaumont, Wayne’s Manager of Central Sterile Processing, is accustomed to busy mornings.
At home, he and his wife are up early getting their two youngest sons, Tristan and Brennan, ready for the day. Marc’s oldest son, Ethan is in college. School, baseball and other activities keep the Strongs busy.
At work, Marc begins his day at 6 a.m. to prepare the hospital’s surgical instruments for an average of 16 surgeries each day. His team is also in charge of supplies, crash carts and cleaning patient care equipment - all to make sure patients and
staff have what they need throughout the day.
He began his career in 2008, but it wasn’t until 2014 when his youngest son, Brennan, was diagnosed with autism that he truly understood the value compassion and communication have in the health care process.
“My specific role isn’t bedside care, but I make sure to voice my opinions and communicate clearly to those patients and families when I do interact with them,” Marc explains. “My experience with Brennan encouraged me to help educate
my colleagues on how to better care for patients with special needs.”
Marc and his family have experienced challenges in health care when caring for Brennan and have found health care providers who openly communicate to be most helpful.
“The autism spectrum is very wide,” says Marc. “You have people who are high-functioning and those who cannot speak or have limited speech. Some are sensitive to touch, light and sound.”
Finding the right caregiver for Brennan meant finding a place that was patient and, most importantly, willing to listen, answer questions and be honest.
The Strongs found Beaumont’s Center for Exceptional Families in Dearborn to be a great resource for their family. They provide Brennan a physician specialist and therapists who work with him one-on-one. “The staff is amazing and there are
support groups for the parents, too.”
Marc’s commitment to his family, patients and staff is second to none. Whether he’s at the hospital or home with his family, he’s always putting others before himself.
Marc says, “I now try to see the whole picture and gather as much information as possible to help resolve or make any situation easier.”
When he’s at work, Marc brings a piece of home with him each shift. “I wear an autism awareness surgical cap every day. It’s a reminder of what it is I’m working for and who I’m working to help.”