Remembering Longtime Employee Douglas Martin

Even if you didn’t catch his name, you could remember his smile. It was a grin that was usually paired with one of his beloved roses in his lapel and a Stetson hat, which he would tip as you walked through the front doors of CRMH.

Douglas Martin, after 63 years of service with Carilion, died on Wednesday. He was 81 years old.

“Mister Martin,” as he was best known, played an important and unique role in patient safety as a clinical support supervisor, making sure that patients went into and out of CRMH safely. His warmth and leadership were evident in his job every day.

He began working at CRMH on Jan. 27, 1958 in the housekeeping department when he was a 17 year-old high school student. He rarely ever missed a day of work and occasionally would walk miles to get there when he didn’t have a ride.

Over the years Mr. Martin was a front-door greeter, a trainer for others and a transporter of the sick, scared and weary. He started the transporters team and hired the first 10 transporters. He brought thousands of patients and employees comfort and calmness – an instant friend –when they often needed it most during his six decades of service.

In 2013, he was given the President’s Award (originally called the Paladin Award) at our annual awards ceremony for his extraordinary commitment, level of service and contributions to our hospital system.

“Doug has to be the shyest, most humble, but most caring person we all know. And I think he provided more service to our organization than any one person,” said President and CEO Nancy Howell Agee during the Shine Awards ceremony at which Mr. Martin received his award.

The Roanoke Times wrote a feature on Mr. Martin several years ago, calling him the “Mayor of Roanoke Memorial Hospital.” In that story, he addressed how he would one day retire.

“I got good friends here -- I'm not kidding you -- who are closer to me than my family," Martin said. "I won't retire until the Lord says so. I mean that seriously."

For those of you who have stories of Mr. Martin and want to share condolences of him, feel free to share them on our page in memory of those we’ve lost throughout the pandemic.

Here is an excerpt about Mr. Martin from a 2015 story in Carilion Clinic Living magazine:

“A Sense of Purpose: Why It’s Good for Your Health”

Someone else who makes the most of every day is Douglas Martin. As a clinical support supervisor in transport services, Martin can be seen at the front doors of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital wearing a Stetson hat—white from Memorial Day to Labor Day, black or brown the rest of the year.

“My job is to make sure patients get seated in their cars safely,” he says.

“We’re talking about people who had total hip or knee operations, or arm or abdominal surgery—very delicate surgery. I look forward to coming to my job every day because I know I’m making a difference. I have patients who tell me how much it’s appreciated.”

The work keeps Martin, 72, feeling good physically and mentally. “It keeps me active,” he says. “I don’t have to sit around and worry about things. It gives me a sense of purpose to come here each day.”

Martin has been helping patients at Carilion for over 50 years.