The Impact of Douglas Martin

A memorial plaque featuring a bronze Stetson hat and roses hangs in the entrance atrium at CRMH. You may have passed it many times or have never seen it. Either way, its significance for the person it represents deserves to be shared at any time, and as we honor Black History Month.

The plaque is a visible way to remember Douglas Martin and his warm, compassionate spirit that touched everyone who entered the front doors of CRMH. As a clinical support supervisor, he played an important and unique role in patient safety, making sure that patients went into and out of CRMH safely. His warmth and leadership were evident in his job every day.

After 63 years of dedicated service to Carilion, “Mister Martin,” as he was best known, died at 81 years old in 2021. So many employees and visitors were moved by Mr. Martin over the years that soon after his passing a memorial plaque was created for the entrance atrium at CRMH where he was usually on duty.

“It brings tears to my eyes whenever I see his hat and roses at the door because he was such a milestone here,” says Mike Moorman, (title). “When he trained you, he trained you by the book. He was a big influence on my life personally, spiritually and as a father figure.”

Moorman, a longtime employee of 45 years himself, was a member of the Hunting Lifesaving Crew in Roanoke, the first Black volunteer rescue squad, before he applied and accepted a job at Roanoke Memorial in 1979.