Sister Cecile Sakaley is helping to fulfill the mission of Mercy Health Partners and one of our founding organizations, the Sisters of Mercy.

“I never pictured myself working in healthcare, and yet, here I am, enjoying the dream job I never dreamed I would love!” Sister Cecile said.

“I have found this is where I belong.”

Sister Cecile spent 38 years working in education, 26 of those in administration, before joining the staff at St. Vincent Mercy Children’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio in October 2008. She had been on sabbatical and contemplating a change in her ministry when a fellow Sister of Mercy encouraged her to look into working at St. V’s Children’s.

A MERCY PRESENCE
She serves as a Mercy presence to families of pediatric patients and looks for opportunities to help the nursing staff.

“I seek out children in Pediatrics who are alone because their parents have to work or attend to other children at home, Sister Cecile said. “ I feed them, play with them, hold or sit with them, do whatever I can to comfort them and keep them company. I also offer tutoring services for children who are here long-term and take Murphy, a therapy dog, and his owner to visit children in their rooms.

“In The Family Birthing Center I serve as an escort to the Maternal-Fetal Medicine patients and put together educational packets to free up the nurses so they can spend more time at the bedside of patients.  I also serve as a Eucharistic minister throughout the hospital and take my turn leading the morning prayer. I basically do whatever I am asked to do – whatever I can do to be a Mercy presence, to advance our mission, express compassion and make life a little easier for our patients, their families and our staff.”

AN EXPANDING, GROWING ROLE
Sister Cecile’s job role is continually expanding and evolving as she eagerly agrees to meet any mission-related needs that arise. She serves on the Ethics Committee and the Parent Advisory Council, helps out in the Family Resource Center and collaborates with Palliative Care as needed.

She also volunteers at the hospital on weekends as a cuddler in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her volunteer training has helped her to serve the needs of NICU patients and families when she is working as well.

“I visit the NICU regularly and make myself available to talk to parents there, and, if a baby needs to be held while I am there, I gladly provide that service,” Sister Cecile said. “Holding a baby in my arms is the most peaceful feeling I can imagine – it is my natural calling. Whether I am working or volunteering if a child needs to be held or just kept company, I will stay as long as they need me, even if that means staying for hours past the end of my shift. Working late is hardly a sacrifice when you love a job this much. Sometimes I go home and think to myself, ‘I can’t believe I get paid to do this!’ I can’t imagine a happier job.”