Hannah & Dr. Steve Corso
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“I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Rev. 3:8).
Just a little background to “set the stage”…For those of you who followed Hannah’s story, you heard us refer to Jacob, Hannah’s friend. Jacob’s father, Glenn Robinson, was the CEO of Mary Black Memorial Hospital here in Spartanburg, SC during Hannah’s illness. Glenn serves on our Board of Directors and last fall accepted a position with Hillcrest Health System in Waco, TX. Glenn’s wife, Rhonda and their daughter, Sarah are still in Spartanburg awaiting Sarah’s high school graduation this month. Glenn has been working since the first of this year to organize an opportunity for Hannah’s oncologist, Dr. Steve Corso, and myself to bring Hannah’s story to Texas. Rhonda traveled with us. She has been an intricate part of this ministry and Hannah loved her very much. Well, we just returned from Texas on April 30th and the experience was nothing less than incredible. I’ll refer to Dr. Corso as Steve from here on as he has become a dear friend to our family and insists that we drop the “Dr.” title.
On Monday, April 28th Steve delivered a presentation on Spirituality and Medicine to 60+ area ministers and chaplains during a luncheon at Hillcrest Hospital. He tells Hannah’s story from a physician’s perspective and the impact that Hannah’s faith had on him. He says he will spend the rest of his career and life telling her story. A message very well received. You may be thinking, “Of course Hannah’s journey of faith would be well received by ministers and chaplains.” My thoughts as well, but hang with me. That evening we visited Baylor University and Steve delivered the same presentation to 50+ pre-med students. At the end he opened the floor for questions and Rhonda and I were in awe of Steve’s boldness as an oncologist to share the role that faith plays in dealing with terminal patients. He boldly stated “As a physician, if you do not have faith you will burn out early in your career.” One student asked him how to prevent getting deeply involved with all patients as Steve had done with Hannah. Steve responded that his “out” is his beautiful wife, Mary Alice and their three sons, he enjoys running, and then he professed again that his faith keeps him focused. We later heard from the teacher of that class who is a cardiologist that it was a timely presentation with a much-needed message.
Tuesday at lunch Steve and I tag-teamed on the presentation to 100+ nurses, social workers, hospice and palliative care providers. After Steve delivered his presentation, I joined him and shared several “lessons” that Hannah taught the family that can be very helpful to healthcare providers. Again, a great response. Then we were swept from the hospital to a family medical physicians’ building where we presented a similar message to 30+ medical residents. Rhonda, Glenn and I again just shook our heads as Steve boldly shared his faith in Jesus Christ through Hannah’s story. It’s not quite as amazing to hear the message from me. After all, I’m her proud aunt. But a medical oncologist with the credentials that Steve possesses? God has done a great work in Steve’s heart – and he’s not about to keep it to himself! That evening he was the keynote speaker for a CME for the local physicians and Board of Directors of the hospital. Did he coward down and tiptoe around the proclamation of his faith? Not even close. He was as bold to his colleagues as he was to ministers and chaplains. When it was all over, Glenn and I laughed at the reality of Hannah keeping us so busy and the clientele that she is now hanging with. She was a go-getter, and she’s left us all scrambling!
Yes, God has set before us an open door. And we can’t wait to see what’s on the other side each time it swings open!