Meaningful Reflections: April 2025 Human Sunshine Awards 

By Kim Crawford Meeks
Spiritual Health & Counseling Manager

I believe we could all come up with someone who seems to naturally shine light on everyone and everything along their journey. You probably do not have to think long to identify people in your life who fit this description. Our Human Sunshine Award recipients this month would be named in your response if you happen to have the honor of knowing them. If you do not know them, then please let me introduce human sunshine to you. Meet Karen Dixon and Asonia Smith! 

Karen Dixon, manager of volunteer services, USA Health Providence  Hospital

Karen enjoys spending time with her family. The mother of four and grandmother of seven stays busy going to ball games and school events. “My mother-in-law always said, ‘It's double love when you have grandchildren,’” she said.

Karen and her husband have special friends they enjoy going out to eat with several times a week. “I guess when you get older, it's always asked, ‘Where are we going to eat next?’” she said. “My husband and I enjoy small trips on the weekend, either to the beach house or one of our favorites: the casinos.” 

Thirty-five years ago, she started working at Providence Hospital in the admissions department. Two years later, she moved to volunteer services, where she has been ever since. When asked what she loves about her job, she said: “The people. I enjoy connecting with the volunteers and employees. I feel like they are part of my family.” She makes rounds in the waiting rooms to see if there is someone in need and tries to help them.  

“There are so many small things we can do that will make a difference in someone's experience at our hospital,” she said. “They may need directions, or they may need you to get a wheelchair and take them where they are going. I have been in the waiting room working when a patient would come up to the desk and ask if I could call admitting and just make sure their insurance was verified. The patient just needed reassurance everything was OK.” 

When Karen was asked how she finds sunshine on a cloudy day, she said: “Always think of happy thoughts! Walk around the hospital and greet everyone – employees, visitors and patients – with a smile. Everyone deserves a kind word. By the time you get back to your office, you have found a little sunshine, I promise you.”

Karen said that she thinks of her dad singing "You are My Sunshine" when she thinks of human sunshine, and her favorite quote to add light to a day is "Make it a Great Day! Happiness is a choice, and the choice is yours!" 

Asonia Smith, switchboard operator supervisor, USA Health Providence Hospital  

Asonia is 79 years old and will be 80 on May 19, and for 58 years, she’s worked at Providence. She has three sons and four grandchildren, and she is proud to share that when she graduated from Melvin High School, she was valedictorian of her class.

Asonia loves her job because she can assist callers, patients, physicians, and other employees. She said she helps to save lives by calling overhead codes, showing love and compassion through the phone. “I am also able to minister to upset callers,” she said. “I impact patients by answering their questions and assisting with any telephone dialing needs and referring them to where their needs can be accomplished.” She does it all with a calm and pleasant tone. 

When asked where Asonia finds sunshine on a bleak day, she said: "I focus on acts of joy and connect and cultivate gratitude for the good things in my life. Also, by finding ways to be thankful for the goodness of God. Being able to have good health and by encouraging others that a brighter day will come. Always being quick to listen and to offer words of encouragement." Asonia's favorite quote about sunshine is, "A better day will come. The sun shines above the clouds."

Learn more about Spiritual Health and Counseling at USA Health. Patients, family members, and USA Health associates are encouraged to call the Meaningful Reflections Line at 251-445-9016 for a daily recorded word of encouragement.