Kettering Health Team Members Turn Compassion Into Action

Story by Garrett Conti

Kettering Health aspires to recognize the whole patient by supporting the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being in every interaction. It’s a value that radiation therapists Jessica Schwab, Zach Gregus and Crystal Bullock have taken to heart.

The trio spearheaded Coats for a Cure, which partners with local hospitals to establish Care Closets. The Dayton-based nonprofit, founded in October 2025, opened its first closet at Kettering Health Main Campus on Jan. 6 and added a second with a ribbon cutting Jan. 21 at Soin Medical Center.

“As it got colder, we noticed patients coming in without the resources they needed,” says Schwab, who manages the closet at Soin Medical Center, where she works as a therapist. “Even though we’re treating the physical body, we have a responsibility to consider the whole person. If it’s minus 10 degrees outside, we’re not sending someone out in a T-shirt just for them to end up admitted with the flu.”

Several of Schwab’s colleagues attended the ribbon cutting, along with Soin Medical Center President Paul Hoover.

“To have your own employees come up with something like this is so exciting,” says Hoover, who worked with Schwab to solidify a home for the closet. “Our employees care deeply about those they serve. When Jess had this idea and said, ‘Hey, do you think we could do something like this here?’ Kettering Health and Soin Medical Center were all over it.”

Each space is stocked with warm clothing that medical center staff can access immediately for any patient facing hardship. Items include coats, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, warming kits and other essentials.

“Our mission is to live God’s love by restoring and promoting health, and I think Coats for a Cure really brings our mission to life,” Hoover says. “We provide great clinical care, but in this case, they are cared for as a whole person. If they need a coat, they’ve got a warm coat, which is just really beautiful.”

Schwab is thankful for the support.

“We could not have done this without the admin team here,” she says. “Their support has been amazing; so kind and truly living the mission. It’s a testament to how we want to care for the person physically, but on an emotional and spiritual level as well.”