Putting Passion Into Action at Children’s of Alabama

As Patient Registration Team Leader, Delores Bell serves many roles at Children’s of Alabama. She supervises and helps out with the front desk, assisting with things like registering and discharging patients, and  scheduling appointments. She also works to build relationships with the hospital’s staff, clinicians and clinic coordinators. While she enjoys each aspect of her job, there’s one specific role that’s her favorite ‑ interacting with  children and their families. “I love everything about my job, especially the wonderful team I work with, but having the opportunity to interact with children and their families is hands down my favorite part,” she said.  “I want to help make their visit easier because I know they are often coming into the hospital nervous. I like being out there interacting with them so I can bring a smile to their faces and help the nervousness go away.”

Delores’ passion for helping kids started at an early age. When she was just 14, she began volunteering at a summer camp for kids, mentoring them and helping them with whatever they needed. “That’s when I fell in love with working with kids,” Delores said.  “Whether it was trying to ease their homesick mind or playing an activity with them, it meant a lot to me to help them have the best day possible.”

When she joined Children’s four years ago, Delores got the opportunity to put that passion into action by working in patient registration, which puts her in the position to frequently interact with children and their families during the registration process. She’s often one of the first and one of the last faces that they see during their time in the hospital, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Being out front is ideal to me because I get so many opportunities to have those one-on-one interactions with the kids and build relationships with them,” Delores said.  “It’s rewarding to spend time talking with them.”

For Delores, that talking could be a quick chat at the registration desk or a quick hello—or hug—while walking through the hospital. “When a child sees me and excitedly runs up to me, it makes my day,” she said.  “Seeing them happy and excited, even if it’s just for a few seconds, means so much to me. You never know what someone is going through. So whether it’s simply telling them good morning or having a conversation, it can help them more than you know. Getting to come in to work and do that every day is a wonderful thing to me.”