Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the skills, dedication, and vital impact of workers with disabilities. At St. Peter’s Hospital, Brendan Salmon stands out as a prime example of how inclusive hiring builds stronger, more joyful workplaces.
Through the support of Living Resources’ Supported Employment Program, Brendan has spent the past seven years establishing himself as a key player in the hospital’s patient services department. His daily routine covers critical ground: packaging to-go items like cheeses and croutons, assembling meal trays, and stocking clean sanitizer supplies throughout the building’s patient kitchens. Yet, if you ask Brendan, nothing beats his time spent in the kitchen prepping fresh fruit cups.
It is not just Brendan’s efficiency that sets him apart, it is his personality. Known around the facility for his steady punctuality and warm demeanor, Brendan has earned a reputation that precedes him. As he walks the hallways alongside his job coach, friendly greetings follow him from every direction, leading his team to fondly dub him “the Mayor” of the hospital.
That infectious attitude has a tangible effect on his peers. His supervisor, Jeremiah Richardson, Patient Service Manager at St. Peter’s, emphasizes that Brendan’s work ethic and quick smile set a standard for the entire room. Combined with the steady partnership of his career counselor, Lori, the ongoing collaboration between Brendan, his support network, and hospital management creates an environment where everyone thrives.
Brendan sums up his perspective simply and confidently: “With being employed, it’s that I am an awesome employee, and everyone knows I like to do the job” Living Resources takes immense pride in celebrating Brendan Salmon’s seven-year milestone and his continued contributions to the St. Peter’s Hospital community.