"I believe there is a reason why I'm here. This is my way to serve."
For Gadwin S., every patient room is more than a task; it’s an opportunity.
As an Environmental Services associate at UPMC Williamsport, Gadwin plays a critical role in maintaining a clean, safe environment. But for him, the job goes far beyond disinfectants and checklists. It’s about connection, compassion, and finding meaningful ways to lift spirits, sometimes through an unexpected song.
Recently, Gadwin encountered a patient who seemed withdrawn and disconnected. Despite following AIDET (acknowledge, introduce, duration, explanation, and thank you) patient communication guidelines and completing his routine responsibilities, he noticed something deeper.
“She was always so sad and lonely,” Gadwin recalls. “Because I’m a happy person, I feel it when someone else is not.”
Determined to help, Gadwin, who was born in the Philippines, looked for a different approach.
He noticed the patient was Korean and decided to try something small by speaking a few Korean words he had picked up through music and television. That simple gesture changed everything.
“I got her attention right away,” he says. “She looked at me, and I knew I found a way to connect.”
From there, Gadwin took it a step further. Believing strongly that “music is a universal therapy,” he asked if she liked music, and when she said yes, he began to sing a Korean song. The response was immediate.
“Her eyes filled with happiness,” he remembers. “Her face changed. That moment, it felt like I won the lottery.”
When he returned later, the patient’s demeanor had transformed. She was more engaged, more present, and excited to see him.
Moments like that are what drive Gadwin, who brings not only empathy but creativity into his role. In addition to singing, he makes origami flowers for patients and sometimes pairs them with a familiar tune.
“It’s simple things,” he says. “But simple things mean a lot.”
Before moving to the United States seven years ago, Gadwin worked as a college professor. He teaches subjects such as educational management and psychology, while also balancing his role as a high school teacher.
His journey hasn’t been without challenges. After arriving in the U.S., he worked in hotel housekeeping while learning and refining his English. He helped teach himself by watching daytime soap operas with subtitles and practicing conversations.
“I challenged myself every day,” he says. “I knew I had to grow.”
Gadwin eventually joined UPMC Williamsport, drawn by both the opportunity and the mission.
While the hospital setting was new and initially intimidating, he saw it as a chance to push himself and find purpose.
“I believe there is a reason why I’m here,” he says. “This is my way to serve.”
That sense of purpose is evident in how he views his role on the care team. To Gadwin, environmental services is not just about cleaning, it’s about contributing to healing.
“We help lessen the burden of the doctors and nurses. We all work hand in hand for the patient,” Gadwin says. “What can I offer aside from cleaning? How can I make a difference?”
For Gadwin, the answer often lies in small, human moments. Whether it’s a song, a smile, or a handmade flower to brighten a patient’s day and help lessen their pain.
“Even in a short time, you can replace pain with happiness,” he believes.
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means finding the right note in patient care.
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