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Plant City. In addition, he invites visiting members of the clergy and spiritual leaders of all faiths to visit patients. "People of different faiths have very specific and different ways of dealing with health care," said emergency room assistant Phyllis Hoover of Carrollwood. "Bishop Wright is great with people because he is open-minded and respects everyone."
Wright has a simple philosophy when visiting people who are losing a loved one. "I believe in the three H's: hug, hush and hang around," he said. Pat Black, a Church of Christ minister from Wesley Chapel, considers Wright a spiritual mentor. "Bishop Wright is like my older brother," Black, 67, said with a laugh. "We talk a lot and we work well together. He does a great job here." Registered nurse Suzy O'Neill of Plant City also works closely with Wright. She is one of 130 nurses he trained to assist with spiritual care. She considers the role a privilege. "It's important to provide spiritual support to patients," she said. "We all need hope. We want to know that our lives can have meaning, even in our dying." Under Wright's supervision, O'Neill set up a corner on the hospital's third floor where patients' families can sit, unwind and read spiritual books. If possible, she brings patients out to the area for a change of scenery. There is a similar area on the oncology floor called "the quiet room." "It's important for families to have a quiet area, outside the hospital room, where they can relax," Wright said. "People may forget what you did or said to help them, but they never forget how you made them feel." Wright aspires to make people feel at ease. He talks to patients about their interests, tells tasteful jokes and welcomes people into his office with a smile. "Whenever I need advice or just to get away, I go to his office," O'Neill said. "First and foremost, he is my friend."
When Wright isn't at the hospital, he spends time at home with his wife in Plant City. He has three children and five grandchildren. He likes gardening and taking care of two pet goats, CoCo and Daisy. He picked up the goats after performing a wedding ceremony on a farm. Wright also works at Life- Spring Community Church in Forest Hills, where son Jonathan is the senior pastor. As bishop, the elder Wright oversees the church and speaks biweekly at Sunday services. He is happy to work with his son and the feeling is mutual. At the hospital, they sometimes visit patients together. "My father always taught my sisters and I to put others' needs above our own, to listen to people in need and spread the message of hope," Jonathan Wright said. "That's why he does so well at the hospital, because he listens. He is a gentle, kind and considerate man."
Reporter Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell@tampatrib.com
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