OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital Welcomes Parker’s Pantry to the Hospital to Support Associates’ Well-Being
OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital is bringing compassion and community support directly to hospital associates with a new initiative. Parker’s Pantry, a food and essentials pantry created by associates for associates, is now open offering free access to snacks, hygiene products, and household staples for any team member in need.
Whether an associate is going through a hard time, forgot their lunch, needs deodorant before a shift, or could just use ingredients for dinner after a long day, Parker’s Pantry is there to help.
“We believe caring for our own people first is the foundation for delivering exceptional care to our patients," said Cherie Smith, PhD, MBA, RN, president of OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital and OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital. "When our team feels supported, everyone benefits from quality outcomes to team morale and patient satisfaction.”
The idea for Parker’s Pantry was born from a moment of reflection by Michelle Sheppard, certified community health worker/case manager extender at OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital and OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital. She saw a unique opportunity to bring her passion for service closer to home.
“While collecting food donations at Grady Memorial for a local pantry, I realized that some of our very own associates, my fellow coworkers, could benefit from similar support,” said Sheppard. “That’s when the idea for an onsite pantry came to life.”
Sheppard took her idea to Tammi Wolfe, MS, BSN, RN, senior consultant provider and associate well-being at OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital and OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital. Working together to shape their vision, they brought the idea to Grady Memorial’s Well-Being team.
“It was with overwhelming support that the team wanted to pursue the concept,” said Wolfe. “We took the idea to our executive leadership team, and they approved and embraced the concept.”
Parker’s Pantry is located on the hospital’s third floor inside the newly reimagined well-being space, formerly known as the Parker Medical Library. This central location was intentionally selected to give associates easy, discreet access during their workday.
The items in the pantry are provided by donations from hospital associates and departments. Each month, a different team signs up to collect items based on a rotating needs list. Donation totes are placed around the hospital, and a dedicated storage space helps keep the pantry stocked year-round. Associates can also give through the OhioHealth Foundation under the associate well-being funds.
The pantry is open to all associates, no questions asked.
“We understand that food insecurity and tight budgets affect more people than we may realize. Our goal is to reduce stigma, provide support, and strengthen our hospital family,” said Wolfe. “This isn’t just about food, it’s about dignity, trust, and caring for one another.”
“Giving to others fills the buckets of so many of our associates,” said Sheppard. “The act of kindness and doing something good for others strengthens one’s own personal well-being and has lasting benefits.”
Parker’s Pantry is just one part of a larger movement at Grady Memorial to support employee health physically, emotionally, and mentally.
The OhioHealth Well-Being team is talking with other hospitals across the system about bringing pantry programs like this one to their care-sites, too.
Sheppard and Wolfe spoke with Spectrum News about the Pantry. Please click on the link below for their interviews.
