Sometimes love, patience, and kindness is the best medicine. NY1's Leisha Majtan introduces us to our latest Queens Person of the Week: A volunteer at Flushing Hospital.
A health scare more than 30 years ago changed Esperanza Chung's outlook on life.
"I had a really bad experience so I was brought to Flushing Hospital, and I received excellent care here, so I said 'One day when I retire, I'm going to volunteer at Flushing Hospital,'" said Esperanza Chung, NY1's Queens Person of the Week.
That's exactly what she did. After closing the doors of her family-owned business, Chung went back to Flushing Hospital to give back to the patients there.
Ten years later, she still volunteers two days a week.
"I see my days fulfilled here. Because I always look forward to Monday and Tuesday. Because I get to see my friends -- I consider them my friends," added Chung.
Chung supports the nursing staff, preps rooms, and brings patients lunch.
And because she's tri-lingual, she also translates for Spanish- and Chinese-speaking patients.
She says the secret to connecting so well with those being treated is in her smile.
"You have to go in with a smile, even if you don't mean it! You have to go in with a smile, and then everything will be fine!" said Chung.
Chung's supervisor says her willingness to go above and beyond for patient care is invaluable to hospital staff.
"There are not always volunteers like her. She goes well beyond her stated capabilities to insure the patients get everything they need," said Christina Barretta, a clinical nurse manager at Flushing Hospital.
Sometimes all they need is a little kindness.
"A smile is better than a pill sometimes and Esperanza is the best pill Flushing Hospital has," said Nancy DiTaranto, the director of volunteer services at Flushing Hospital.
And so for giving Flushing Hospital patients a dose of love, Esperanza Chung is our Queens Person of the Week.