Robert Kelly

If this young man is the future of our society, than I think we are all going to be in very good hands. Robert Kelly came in to Herb’s life like a whirlwind. His energy, his commitment to his job, his positive attitude and his compassion for the patients and family he works with is 2nd to none. If my memory serves me correctly, Herb was admitted to Orange Park Medical Center and taken to his room at about 2pm in September 2013, and after going through all of the questionnaires, and filling out paperwork that comes with being admitted, at around 3:10pm here comes Robert, in to all of our lives. He acted as if he had known us for years, and immediately made Herb and our entire family feel welcomed, and most importantly, comfortable, that Herb was in good hands. There was nothing this young man would not do for Herb and his other patients. If he was in the middle of his lunchtime, or break time, he would drop whatever he was doing to address the needs of his patients. Robert has a job that would take its toll on any individual, as he deals with terminal patients that he, and the family knows the patient does not have a lot of time left on this earth, but the care that Robert gives is phenomenal to say the least. There was nothing Robert would not do for his patients, and the way he does it, allows the patient to maintain their dignity through whatever they are faced with. Herb was under the care of Robert the final 3 weeks of his life, and there was not a day that went by that he didn’t stay positive and did everything in his power to help Herb through his transition. I know that Robert made an impression on Herb and his entire family, and in turn, Herb and family made an impression on Robert. The day Herb was laid to rest, Robert, although he had to work, made his way to the funeral during his lunch time to pay his respects, once again, putting his patients first. Robert will forever be part of the Ellerbe family because of the way he treated us. I am sure it is quite obvious to all who read this why Robert Kelley is our Herbies Hero.