Meaningful Reflections: Human Sunshine Awards for March 

By Kim Crawford Meeks
Spiritual Health & Counseling Manager

Maya Angelou said, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I have been to many celebrations of life services during my years as a chaplain, and I also worked in the funeral service industry in previous years. When someone speaks at a memorial service, they will usually talk about the education, career, and accomplishments of the honoree. These important and incredible life achievements should be acknowledged, yet they are usually mentioned in the beginning of a heartfelt speech.  

The words at the end, when honoring a loved one, are the sentiments that come from a deeper place of meaning. The point of the speech and closing words are almost always about how the person made others feel. How we make a fellow human feel is one of the most important and purposeful accomplishments of life.  

When the two recipients of our Human Sunshine Awards for March were nominated, I approved, agreed, and responded with a resounding reply of, “Yes, absolutely!” Veronica Hudson and Chloe Deuel are both the kind of people who make you feel light and inspiration by just being around them. Both women have sweet spirits that make you feel at peace and hold on to hope, and more than anything they create a place for others to feel valued. I hope we all strive to seek the sunshine that Veronica and Chloe each exude so naturally each day. Congratulations, Veronica and Chloe! Please enjoy getting to know both of them a little more. 

About Veronica Hudson, MSN, DNP, Manager of Workforce Development 

Veronica is a dedicated healthcare professional and community health advocate with over 40 years of nursing experience. Veronica is passionate about education, mentorship, and community service, and she has been actively involved in hospital initiatives. Just this year, she was nominated for Nurse of the Year and the Christie Miree Award. She has also been awarded Saraland Citizen of the Year three times. 

A four-term Saraland City Council member, Veronica successfully sponsored the ordinance that made Saraland the first smoke-free city in Mobile County. She continues to serve her community through organizing eye screenings with the Lions Club, health fairs, and mental health screenings at her local church. She has also trained community members in CPR and volunteered in the past with The Women’s Resource Center, teaching Safe Sleep for Infants to combat sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Mobile County. 

Currently, Veronica is working on a toolkit to promote a healthier Alabama community. Through her leadership, volunteer work, and faith-driven mission, she remains committed to improving community health and wellness. She is married with four adult children and five grandchildren. 

As manager of workforce development, Veronica's role focuses on hiring and training employees to develop valuable career skills that lead to lucrative employment opportunities in healthcare. She loves the teamwork of professional instructors working together to improve staffing and providing optimized professional instruction.  

“I find joy in seeing new hires with minimal skills grow into professionals who achieve state and national certifications,” Veronica said. 

When asked if workforce development impacts patient care, she explains, “Workforce development plays a vital role in training employees who directly care for patients and families.” We train: 

• Patient care assistants (PCAs) to provide safe and compassionate bedside care. 
• Sterile processors to ensure surgical instruments are properly sterilized and handled. 
• Surgical technicians to safely assist in surgical procedures and maintain sterility. 

By developing skilled professionals, our program not only impacts employees but also the patients and families they serve. 

Veronica adds that she finds fulfillment when former trainees share their success stories and tell her, “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Workforce Development." Knowing she helped someone achieve a meaningful career is incredibly rewarding, Veronica added as she thought about her former students. 

Veronica tells us that she finds sunshine through an old saying: “Every dark cloud has a silver lining.” In tough moments, she focuses on finding gratitude in all things and encouraging others to make the best of any situation. 

Words that offer sunshine to Veronica on a cloudy day are from 1 John 1:48, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree.” Veronica explains, “This reminds me that even in our darkest hour, God sees us and assures us that He is always there.” 

Veronica also nominated three USA Health team members for the Human Sunshine Award. You may be one of them! 

 About Chloe Deuel, Program Coordinator for the Pediatric Residency Program 

Chloe was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in business management and is pursuing a master's at the University of South Alabama. She enjoys spending time with friends and family in her free time, taking on new projects, and listening to podcasts. 

Chloe explains what she loves about her position: “As a coordinator for the pediatric residency program, I love the variety and dynamic nature of the job. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, thanks to the different seasons throughout the academic year. There's also a sense of fulfillment when milestones are reached. The camaraderie within the leadership team and the joy of working alongside such a supportive, fun, and dedicated group is something I cherish. This role has helped me create a sense of purpose and pride.”

Chloe states that she finds fulfillment in her job in many ways. “Each year brings constant change, offering plenty of opportunities, big or small, to celebrate. It's especially exciting when residents match into fellowships or accept job offers—those moments make the work even more rewarding.” 

Chloe shares that she seeks sunshine when the world is bleak by focusing on the small moments of positivity and the things that bring her joy — whether it's spending time with loved ones, finding humor in everyday situations, or embracing personal growth and learning. She reminds herself that even during tough times, there are always opportunities to make a difference, whether it's through kindness, supporting others, or staying hopeful.  

The sunshine, for her, comes from cultivating an inner light that helps guide her through challenges, and by sharing that positivity with others, it can brighten not just her own day, but the day of others. 

When thinking about people who were sunshine to her, she tells us that, “Growing up, I always noticed others who seemed to be the 'human sunshine' during chaotic times. They always had a smile on their face and carried themselves with such grace and positivity. Their presence had a way of brightening everything around them.”

Chloe's positive words that bring her light on a cloudy day are from Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Learn more about Spiritual Health and Counseling at USA Health. Patients, family members, and USA Health associates are encouraged to call the Meaningful Reflections Line at 251-445-9016 for a daily recorded word of encouragement.