The film, “Pay it Forward, depicts young Trevor McKinney, engaged in an intriguing assignment from his new social studies teacher, Mr. Simonet. Trevor must create an opportunity to make a positive difference in the world. Trevor conjures the notion of not “paying back” a favor, but “paying it forward.” He intends to repay one good deed, by generating several new ones on behalf of three new people. Trevor’s efforts reverberate, not only in the close circles of his life which include his mother, and physically and emotionally scarred teacher, but in widening ripples of people completely unknown to him.

Recently, Methodist Hospital experienced “pay it forward.” The following story is true with the exception of altered details to protect confidentiality. A 90 year old retired accountant working at a local store sustained 6 hours of chest pain before taking a bus to the Methodist Emergency Room. Arriving early in the morning at 6:45 a.m., he remained resolute in desiring a rapid evaluation enabling him to return to his work shift. The Emergency/Observation Center team scrambled to honor his wishes. Discharged by 12:50 p.m. he completed a full evaluation including a stress test. Appreciative of the team’s assistance in helping him meet his work obligations, the professor sent a check for $1,000 allocated to aiding less fortunate individuals unable to afford emergency care.

His generosity paralleled attempts by the Emergency Center and the Pharmacy at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital to identify ways to fund low cost or free prescriptions for patients unable to afford discharge medications.  Emergency Center team members, inspired by the generosity, donated $7,000 through matching gifts.

The Emergency Center team “paid forward” a good deed to the patient by honoring his desire to return to work in the afternoon. The patient “paid forward” with a donation for those unable to purchase prescriptions. His gift prompted a cascade of others “paying forward” with matching donations.

Do you have any “pay it forward” stories to share? Please feel free to use the comment box below. As always, we encourage a free exchange of ideas, but we reserve the right to remove comments that make personal criticisms or attacks on individuals or specific businesses.