"We Do Not Exist for Ourselves Alone" - The Meaning of Hospitality
The word ‘hospitality’ often conjures images of an industry devoted to giving people what they want; of posh hotel suites, lavish dinners, and indulgence. But that is only one small aspect of what hospitality is. The word ‘hospitality’ is derived from the Latin hospes, which literally means “guest, host, or stranger.” In the Latin, ‘host’ can be read literally as “lord of strangers,” and here we begin to touch upon what hospitality truly means: to provide for, and respect, one’s guests and to treat them as equals.
Hospitality is commonly associated with the hospitality service industry (resorts, hotels, casinos, etc.) but it also provides the root for the terms hospital, hostel, and hospice. The latter category preserves more of the altruistic, personal care connotation that is at the root of hospitality, but what does hospitality mean to us as healthcare professionals and therapy providers?
For Evergreen Rehab, hospitality means treating everyone with the respect and dignity that they deserve. It means showing common courtesy and goodwill not just to our friends and patients, but to our neighbors, co-workers, and strangers alike. The title of this post is a quote from the late Thomas Merton – monk, poet, and social activist – and we feel it captures the altruism that is at the heart of true hospitality.
We believe that hospitality and courtesy at all levels of our organization is the best practice for maintaining talented, happy employees and providing our patients with the highest standard of care.
