The Lasting 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.

Few people cast a broader net when it comes to leaving lasting impressions than Douglas Martin. This plaque is a visible reminder of him and his all-encompassing 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 kindness 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 Michael Moorman, patient care technician in the 4 South PACU. “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, lost his own father right after high school. It was then he decided he wanted to help others and became a member of the Hunton lifesaving crew in Roanoke, the first Black volunteer rescue squad. Soon after, Moorman applied and accepted a job at RMH in 1979. Mr. Martin was his supervisor and trained him to be a nursing assistant.

Johnny Payne (JP), patient care technician on 4 West, came to RMH in 1985, right about the time the flood of 85 left its mark on the hospital. Payne started in Housekeeping (now Environmental Services) for a year before Mr. Martin began training him as an NA.

Payne and Moorman both remember how Mr. Martin taught them to prioritize the patient and take special care in how you care for each one.

“Mr. Martin used to say, ‘When you’re in the patient’s room, you do everything you can for them. So, when you walk out of that room you know you have met their needs within your job description’,” says JP. “He taught us that when you take pride in your work it shows.”

Mr. Martin displayed the same care and compassion for his team and coworkers as he did for patients and visitors.

“He would give you the shirt off his back,” says JP. “He was so giving, and he encouraged you to be more mature, responsible.”

“I know I’m still here today because of the things Mr. Martin taught me and by the grace of God,” says Moorman.

Through the Years

Moorman and JP have been applying what Mr. Martin instilled in them many years ago for a long time now, and of course, they’ve added their own special touch.

“When you can put a smile on a patient’s face, you don’t know what that means to them,” say JP, whose director once told him not to change because he inspires a lot of patients.

Moorman laughs and says, “Ashley Graham (his director) always says, ‘If only I could clone you.’”

Moorman once sang for a patient simply because the patient asked. “It makes my day to give 100 percent,” he says.

In 40 and 45 years, JP and Moorman (respectively) have seen changes in healthcare and our organization, but both agree working at the hospital has been a great experience.

“Things change and you just go with the flow,” says Moorman. “It’s a good organization and no matter how much changes, you never lose the skill of taking care of our patients. It’s what carries you on.”

Today

In reflecting on their experience at CRMH, it doesn’t take Moorman and JP long to revert back to their memories of Mr. Martin.

“He always had a great smile,” says Moorman.

Mike Moorman (left) and JP (right) with Mr. Martin's plaque

Four years since Mr. Martin died and 67 years since he began his lifelong career of caring for and training others, Phazhon Nash, operations consultant in Emergency Medicine, remembers his first encounter with Mr. Martin. It was long before he became a Carilion employee when he and his mother rushed into CRMH because his grandmother had been transported there from her dialysis center.

"In that moment of panic and uncertainty, Mr. Martin's warm hospitality and soothing spirit brought us comfort,” says Nash. “Later, as an employee, I often saw him extending the same hospitality and spirit to everyone who entered those RMH doors. He even helped point me in the right direction when I was lost as a new employee. That kind of attitude, spirit and dedication is what we should all strive to bring to work and our lives each and every day, just as he did."

If you've been impacted by Mr. Martin, Mike or JP, share in the comments below.