The Bon Secours St. Francis Mobile Medical Van is a critical part of community health care outreach. It brings the same quality care that patients receive in-office or at the hospital to those with limitations to access.

Now, because of your support, those patients receive the same spiritual care as well.

Practice administrator Lori Center coordinated the effort with fellow practice manager Wendell Reynolds. His gift of woodworking is at the heart of the program — putting a wooden palm cross into the hands of any Mobile Medical Van patient who wants one.

“The Palm Cross is a symbol of hope. Some say the Palm Cross is like holding God’s hand when we pray,” Lori says. “It allows us to tangibly feel the presence of our God.”

The team has provided more than 500 crosses already. Wendell crafts them out of aromatic cedar, a wood symbolized in the Bible for spiritual cleansing and renewal.

“It’s just a simple gesture but it resonates powerfully with our mission. We strive to bring good help to those in need, especially those who are underserved and vulnerable,” Wendell says. “The cross is a constant reminder to them that they are not alone in this and that there is hope.”

Lori says that the patients they see are sometimes the most in need of spiritual comfort.

“We have folks experiencing homelessness. We serve rural areas. Our mission and ministry is going where the people are to provide care. Some patients are excited to get a cross, and others are very quiet and humble when they receive it.”