A lifetime of service
Parkland teammates mark decades of dedication during National Hospital Week
Nearly 50 years ago, two teenagers took jobs at Parkland Memorial Hospital. They never left.
For Belinda Wiley and Velma Stevens, Parkland isn’t just where they work. It’s the only place they’ve ever worked. Hired just one year apart in 1977 and 1978, Wiley and Stevens have spent nearly five decades serving patients through Parkland’s Nutrition Services department, building careers defined by consistency, compassion and an unwavering commitment to showing up.
As hospitals across the country celebrate National Hospital Week May 10-16, Parkland is recognizing employees like Wiley and Stevens, whose combined service spans more than 90 years. Wiley began her career on Sept. 3, 1977, and Stevens followed on Sept. 27, 1978. What began as a first job became a lifelong calling.
“Collectively, our employees are the heartbeat of Parkland, and that is especially evident in team members like Belinda and Velma, who have dedicated their entire careers to caring for others,” said Felicia Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Talent Officer. “Their commitment, compassion and consistency over decades represent the very best of our organization.”
“I just filled out an application and got hired,” Wiley said. “I’ve been here ever since.”
Stevens’ story is much the same. “I put in an application and got a call,” she said. “I did the interview and got hired. This is my first job too.”
Over the years, their roles have evolved, but their commitment has remained constant. Wiley now works closely with patients, helping ensure their meals meet both medical needs and personal preferences. Stevens has held multiple roles, from dietary aide to cook to clerk, and now serves as a catering supervisor supporting departments across the hospital.
“I like working with different people in different departments,” Stevens said. “You meet all kinds of people doing catering. That’s what I enjoy.”
For Wiley, the connection to patients is what has kept her here. “Some patients don’t feel like eating or they’re going through a lot,” she said. “I sit and talk with them, get them engaged. Sometimes they’re just waiting for someone to take the time.”
Stevens has seen that same impact throughout her career.
“I’ve worked with patients and all over the hospital,” she said. “You get to know people everywhere. That’s part of what makes it special.”
That sense of purpose extends far beyond routine days. Through Dallas ice storms and dangerous conditions that shut down much of the city, Wiley and Stevens have remained a constant presence.
Like the U.S. Postal Service promise that neither rain, snow, sleet nor hail will stop the mail, Wiley and Stevens have shown that nothing will keep them from serving Parkland’s patients.
“I’ve walked in on ice to get here,” Stevens noted. “As long as I can make it, I’m coming. The patients still need to be fed.”
It takes a lot to keep both of them away. “I’ve got to be really, really sick not to come,” Wiley said.
Over nearly five decades, they have seen Parkland transform in remarkable ways. What was once a paper-driven operation, with handwritten Kardex cards tracking every patient’s diet and needs, has evolved into a fully electronic system.
“Everything used to be written by hand,” Wiley said. Today, digital tools guide much of their work. But when systems go down, they return to those same fundamentals, hand writing patient information and meal details to ensure no one is missed.
Beyond their daily responsibilities, both have helped shape the next generation, training new employees and passing along the knowledge and values built over decades.
“I’m training someone right now,” Wiley said. “You want them to understand how important this work is.” Stevens agreed, emphasizing the importance of experience and teamwork. “You learn something new every day,” she said. “And you share that with the next person coming in.”
While neither has set a firm retirement date, both say they will know when the time is right.
“They’ll know when I’m gone,” Stevens said with a smile. “But for now, I’m still here.”
National Hospital Week, celebrated each May, recognizes the more than 6 million people working in hospitals and health systems across the country. At Parkland, it is an opportunity to honor employees like Wiley and Stevens, whose dedication often happens behind the scenes but is essential to patient care.
“We’re not bragging,” Wiley said. “We just like what we do. That’s why we come every day.”
To become a part of the Parkland family, please visit www.parklandcareers.com. For more information on services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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