Saint Joseph Hospital caregiver celebrates 45 years and a family legacy

As Saint Joseph Hospital celebrated its 150th anniversary, another anniversary was happening at the same time.?

Christine Robinson’s service at Saint Joe's has spanned 45 years. But her story is not hers alone because, in her footsteps, she paved the way for her daughter and siblings, creating a family legacy within the hospital's walls.

For decades, their family has dedicated their lives to nurturing the well-being of their community and the patients they serve. Christine joined Saint Joe’s in 1978 as a transporter for physical therapy. She then worked in the lab as a phlebotomist and went to nursing school at the same time. She graduated with a two-year degree in 1981 and, when she was 50 years old, she went back to school and got her bachelor’s degree.

During nursing school, Christine did clinicals at various places to see where she wanted to work, but she knew Saint Joe’s was where she was supposed to be.

“Saint Joe’s is really a comfortable place,” said Christine. “It has a special spirit, and the people are friendly. I've heard many people over the years say that it's different here, and they’re right. We have great leadership, the culture and people are wonderful, and we’ve been able to maintain that for a long time. I think that’s why so many people stay here for so long.”

After Christine got her nursing degree, she worked as a nurse in 4 West. Since then, she’s worked in multiple departments and is currently the house supervisor.

Christine and her sister, Esther, went to nursing school together. At the time, Esther was working at a different hospital, and when there was an opening at Saint Joe’s, Christine encouraged her to apply. Esther worked at both hospitals for a while but loved Saint Joe’s so much that she left the other hospital and has been at Saint Joe’s for 17 years.

Christine is the oldest of five and at her urging over the years, all four of her siblings have worked at Saint Joe’s. Her daughter has also worked there for the past 18 years. She began in the staffing office and has since moved into several other positions.

“It’s been so wonderful getting to work with my daughter and sister for so long,” Christine said. “COVID-19 was a difficult time to work in healthcare and it was really comforting to have family here. We were all trying to do a good job and take great care of our patients, but seeing so much illness and sadness was tough. It was nice to have them here for support.”

After more than four decades, Christine says what she loves the most about working at Saint Joseph is that it’s a patient-centered place.

“From the top to the bottom, everything we do comes down to what is best for our patients,” she said. “We care deeply about them and each other. This has been the best place for me and my family, and I can’t imagine working elsewhere. We've had relatives who have been sick and were treated here. I felt good knowing I could trust that they would get the best care because that’s what every patient gets here.”