Only@UNMC with Paula LeGrande

You know them when you have them.

Maybe you’re busy with a patient, working with a student or learning from a professor.

Immersed completely in the moment, it hits you, “This is where I’m supposed to be and this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”









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Paula LeGrande, left, with Cynthia Eiland, one of two environmental services employees who recently helped an ailing faculty member get life-saving care.
They are “Only@UNMC” moments — born from the combination of people, place and purpose that exists only at UNMC.

Paula LeGrande, general manager of UNMC Environmental Services, describes an Only@UNMC moment in her own words.


“A few weeks ago I walked through the halls with an employee I manage, Cynthia Eiland, when a professor came up to me, gestured toward Cynthia and said, ‘Did she tell you what she did for me?’

“It turns out the professor recently experienced an acute and serious health problem. He tried to go from Wittson Hall to the emergency room and wasn’t making it. Several people passed him by and didn’t notice he was struggling. Cynthia and her colleague, Orletha Flores, did. They rushed to get the professor help and escorted him to the emergency room.

“‘They saved my life,’ the professor said.”

Share your “Only@UNMC” moments.

5 comments

  1. Katina Winters says:

    I have walked the halls before and almost always see our enviromental services staff go out of their way to help the patients and employees of our hospital/campus.

    Way to go!

  2. Sandra McKenzie says:

    We need to hear more stories like this one. I am sure there are many of them. People helping others – not hurting others!

  3. Anna Kunkel says:

    Cynthia, Thank you for helping this professor. I happen to know the man you assisted, and think the world of him. You DID save his life, and I for one am very thankful.

  4. mike arington says:

    Too many things go unrecognized these days I hope Marriot realizes what good help they have there. The man's definitely recovering more and each day. THANK GOD FOR THEM BEING IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

  5. Thomas McDonald says:

    I was the person referred to in the article. Yes indeed, Cynthia and Orletha came to my rescue that early morning in late July and I am eternally grateful. I was definitely struggling to get to the emergency. They saw what was happening, dropped what they were doing, grabbed a wheelchair and got me there for help. I am happy to be sitting here typing this note of thanks and don't want to think of the alternatives if these two wonderful ladies were not there to come to my aid.
    Thank you both.

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