UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital worker featured on 'Good Morning America'

It doesn’t take Mary Ellen Kremer long to put a little sparkle into the day-to-day lives of patients at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland, and her simple act of kindness caught the attention of ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Kremer, a patient services representative at the hospital, was featured on the “Make Your Monday” segment this week for her colorful and crafty patient identification bracelets. After filling out necessary paperwork, Kremer takes a few extra minutes to add rhinestone stickers to the bracelets, surprising patients when she puts it on their wrist.

She started the project about three ago, wanting to brighten the day of one patient who often came in by herself, Kremer told UPMC officials in June when she was featured as a UPMC Life Changer.

“I had to do something to make her smile,” Kremer told hospital officials at the time. “In my desk drawer, I had different stuff to give to people to cheer them up. I was going to give her an angel pin, and then I found my bling bag.”

After seeing a smile spread across the woman’s face, Kremer knew she had to keep crafting. She started bedazzling all patient bracelets and handing out angel pins.

“Mary Ellen is all heart,” her sister Patti Kennedy told GMA. “There is nothing in the world she likes better than comforting people. She was born to do it.”

Hospital staff, Magee President Dr. Richard Beigi and Kremer’s family gathered in the lobby Monday to surprise her on the show. After, she was given the day off to spend at the spa at the Fairmont Hotel with an overnight stay and dinner with her family.

“I love my job, and my dad always told us, ‘Love what you do and it’s not going to be work.’ And this is exactly the way I feel every day. It’s not like work for me,” Kremer told GMA.

Her sister added, “I think she bedazzles their hearts, and they just never forget her.”