Environmental Services: More than just cleaning

By: Deon Cranford - Scotland Health Marketing

Before the sun rises over Scotland Memorial Hospital, the hallways begin to hum—not with medical equipment or morning rounds—but with the footsteps of the Environmental Services (EVS) team, armed with scrub brushes, vacuums, and a mission: to protect, serve, and uplift. 

Their work is often behind the scenes, but its impact is front and center. In a place where people bring their illnesses on purpose, the EVS team ensures that every surface, every room, and every hallway is safe, clean, and welcoming. Their role is not just about cleanliness—it’s about compassion. 

The Unsung Guardians of Health 

It’s easy to overlook the EVS team in the hustle of healthcare. But their work is anything but ordinary. With state-of-the-art tools, specialized cleaning products, and ever-evolving protocols, they fight germs with precision and passion. They are the first to enter a room after discharge and the last to leave before a new patient arrives. They are frequent visitors to the Emergency Center, surrounded by coughs and sneezes, yet unwavering in their commitment to safety. 

And they do it all with a smile. 

Kesha McIver: 18 Years of Dedication 

One of those smiling faces belongs to Kesha McIver, who has been part of the EVS team for 18 years. Her love for the job is evident—not just in her work ethic, but in the way she connects with others. 

“I love my job. I love to make other people happy,” Kesha says. “Sometimes when I’m not feeling good myself, if I just make someone else smile, it makes me feel better.” 

Her warmth is contagious. She’s known for greeting everyone—patients and staff alike—with a cheerful “young man” or “young lady,” a gesture that lifts spirits and restores dignity. 

“I had an older patient walk through looking down and I just smiled and said, ‘Good morning, young man.’ He got a pep in his step. He said he hadn’t been called that in a long time.” 

Safety, Passion, and Purpose 

For Kesha and her teammates, safety is the top priority. Every room is cleaned with the mindset that the next patient could be a loved one—or even themselves.  In our rural setting, the likelihood of the next patient being someone you know increases – making that mindset a little easier to come by. 

“We had a visitor from higher up in the company come to observe our work. After I cleaned a room, he asked me, ‘Would you sleep in that bed?’ I said yes, because I cleaned it. I’d let my family, friends, or coworkers sleep in that bed. That’s how we have to look at it. The patient is me. The patient is my family.  The patient is somebody I know.” 

This philosophy drives the EVS team’s excellence. They don’t just clean—they care. 

The Power of a Smile 

Beyond their technical skills, the EVS team brings humanity to healthcare. For patients who may not have visitors, a warm greeting from an EVS team member can be the highlight of their day. 

“We don’t know what they’re going through,” Kesha says. “Sometimes, patients don’t have anybody in their lives to visit them.  We’re their only visitors.  We can make a difference.  A smile doesn’t cost anything.” 

A Shout-Out to the Heroes Behind the Scenes 

As we celebrate National Environmental Services Week, Scotland Health proudly recognizes the EVS team—not just for their hard work, but for their heart. They are the hidden heroes who make healing possible, who bring light into sterile spaces, and who remind us that every role in healthcare matters. 

So the next time you pass an EVS team member in the hallway, take a moment to say thank you. Because behind every clean room is a story of care, compassion, and commitment.