When Call Center Operator Carly Taramona fulfilled a young patient’s request for a warm chocolate chip cookie, she thought she was simply doing her job. She never imagined the small act of kindness would lead to one of the highest employee honors at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston.
Carly, a Food and Nutrition operator with Morrison Healthcare, was recently presented with the Bee Award during a special forum attended by hospital leadership, Memorial Hermann staff, and Morrison team members. The award recognizes non-clinical employees who demonstrate exceptional compassion, service, and dedication to patient care. Morrison’s centralized call center team supports patient meal ordering for seven Memorial Hermann hospitals.
The recognition was especially meaningful for Carly and her team because of her personal connection to the hospital. Several years ago, Carly’s sister passed away in the Intensive Care Unit at Memorial Hermann, and Carly had not returned to the main hospital building since that time.
“It was a very touching ceremony, and many people there were crying because of Carly’s deeply personal connection to the hospital,” said Debbie Roberts, Centralized Call Center Manager for Morrison at Memorial Hermann.
A Simple Act of Kindness
Carly was nominated for the award by Leigh Ann Cutting, Concierge Care Manager at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, whose son was a patient at the hospital. While placing his lunch order, Leigh Ann asked if cookies could be added to the meal. Her son quietly added one more request: that the cookies be warm.
Carly heard him.
“When the cookies arrived, they were warm, gooey, and perfect,” Leigh Ann shared in her nomination. “I’ve never cried over chocolate chip cookies before, but I did today.”
“What I love most is that Carly had no idea who I was or what my role was at the hospital. She simply recognized that my son wanted warm chocolate chip cookies.”
In addition to being recognized during the leadership forum, Carly will have a plaque featuring her photo displayed in the hospital. She also received a GEM award from Matt Joslin, Morrison Regional Vice President for Memorial Hermann Health System.
While Carly is grateful for the recognition, she says the most rewarding part of her role is helping patients feel cared for in small but meaningful ways.
“It feels awesome to be a Bee Award winner and to be recognized on the wall at Memorial Hermann-TMC for a service I’m truly proud to provide—especially given my personal experience there with my sister,” she said. “I feel really good knowing this work matters and that I’m truly helping people.”
Carly, who has worked as a Morrison call center operator for a year and a half, says thoughtful requests from patients and families are part of what makes her role so meaningful.
“Whether it’s making sure someone’s mother gets her grape juice every morning or building out meals for a patient throughout the day, it’s the little things that count. One woman even took my suggestion of grilled cheese and tomato soup and said it was the best meal she’d had in a long time. Moments like that make me proud to be part of helping our community heal.”
A Meaningful Full-Circle Moment
Following the award ceremony, Brandon Hernandez, Senior Director of Food Service and Nutrition at Memorial Hermann-TMC, helped make the day even more meaningful by arranging for Carly to visit the Intensive Care Unit room where her sister had once stayed.
Matt Joslin praised the gesture, noting how one act of kindness created an even greater impact across the team.
“What started as one simple act of kindness by Carly turned into something so much greater,” said Roberts. “It also created a ripple effect, allowing Carly to connect even more deeply with our patients and reminding all of us that the care we give truly matters.”
