EIRMC honors three with Frist Humanitarian Awards

Nate Esplin

Nate Esplin, the Rev. Dennis Alexander and Dr. Flint Packer recently were awarded Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center's Frist Humanitarian Awards for 2012.

Esplin is a radiology technician at EIRMC's Cancer Center, Alexander is a volunteer chaplain, and Packer is a primary care physician.

The annual award recognizes physicians, employees and volunteers who have demonstrated "remarkable concern for the welfare and happiness of patients, have performed extraordinary acts of kindness, have been committed to community service and have a positive effect on others," the hospital news release said.

The Rev. Dennis Alexander

Esplin has traveled to Haiti twice to help rebuild an orphanage and organized several events to raise funds for the special cause. At EIRMC, he is renowned for making Cancer Center patients feel special by celebrating their last day of treatment with a disco ball and colored lights, industrial bubble blower and cranked-up music.

Alexander serves more hours at EIRMC than many employees, the release said. He works four shifts each week in the emergency room and also is the volunteer chaplain on Saturday.

Dr. Flint Packer

As a volunteer chaplain, Alexander offers support to people who are nervous, frightened or grieving. Away from EIRMC, Alexander is the director of Saints Alive (Saints Adult Ministry) at Calvary Baptist Church.

Packer has helped his neighbors many times with medical advice -- even after hours and usually without compensation, the release said. He coaches youth sports and is a Boy Scout leader. He also served six years as an EIRMC volunteer board member at EIRMC.

EIRMC donated funds to each honoree's charity of choice, including Haitian Roots (Esplin), the Calvary Baptist Church Benevolence Fund (Alexander) and FreeMed (Packer).