Shortly before Christmas of 1956, Delores Baker went to St. Francis Medical Center seeking a job. She was a new mom, and she simply wanted to earn a little extra money so that she could give her child a nice Christmas.
However, as soon as she began working at the Trenton facility, she met Franciscan Sister Catherine Joseph. Not only did Sister Catherine encourage Baker to grow in her career at the hospital, the two became good friends.
“Let your work speak for you, Delores,” was Sister Catherine’s advice to the young Baker.
Today, Baker is celebrating 60 years at St. Francis, and in April, she was recognized at the medical center’s “Years of Service” ceremony.
“Delores is part of the St. Francis family… Everyone who works with her knows her steadfast dedication to our hospital and our patients,” said Vincent Costantino, the medical center’s chief administrative officer. “The positive impact Delores has made and what she has done for St. Francis is invaluable.”
Delores credits the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia who ran the hospital as an integral reason to her six decades at the medical center.
“The way the nuns treated people – their confidentiality and integrity – encouraged me to stay,” Baker said. “I felt like I was part of a community, part of a family. When I went through difficult times, I felt supported.”
“The nuns embrace everyone,” she added. “They walk the walk, not just talk the talk. They truly care for the underserved of the community.”
Baker began her career at St. Francis as a nursing assistant in Labor and Delivery. As she progressed, she was selected to be trained as a surgical technician, which enabled her to move into a position as an operating room technician. She eventually became the manager of operating room support and organized the Association of Operating Room Technicians #145.
Baker participates in and holds leadership roles with numerous civic and community groups, which enable her to bring information and services from the hospital directly to the Trenton community. Some of the groups include the Mercer County Board of Social Services, Carver Youth and Family Center, the Urban League Guild of Metropolitan Trenton, the Urban Women’s Center, the National Political Congress of Black Women and the New Jersey Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. She is also a member of the Friendship Baptist Church of Trenton.
Due to her dedication and ties to the Trenton community, a new job was created for Baker about 12 years ago. She is now the hospital’s community relations liaison.
“Delores brings people together. She is the glue between our hospital and the community,” said Baker’s supervisor, Debra Birkenstamm, the hospital’s corporate director of population health.
Bakes said she is deeply committed to her work with St. Francis and the Trenton community and continues to hold the nuns close in heart.
“I still go out to lunch with the nuns who are older and retired,” she said. “They instilled values and morals in everyone at the hospital.”
Correspondent Carly York contributed to this report.