A Legacy Built Together: 25 Years of Friendship, Care, and Collaboration

As Duke Regional Hospital celebrates 50 years of caring for our community, we are reminded that our legacy is not only built through milestones but through the people who show up every day for one another and for the patients they serve. For Ronald Schoenfeld RN, CNIII, Brain and Spine Surgery, and Henry Steves, RT(R)(CV), Interventional Radiology, that legacy includes 25 years of friendship, teamwork, and a partnership that has stood the test of time.

Henry (left) and Ron (right) celebrate 25 years of friendship that started at Duke Regional Hospital.

Friendship at Work and Beyond

Their story began in 2001, when the two met in Interventional Radiology. Ron’s first day at Duke Regional was Sept. 10, 2001. He returned for his second day of orientation to a moment that would forever change American history: Sept. 11. Amid an uncertain time, a lasting connection was beginning to form. Two weeks later, Ron met Henry, and the two quickly discovered common ground. Ron, originally from Michigan, and Henry, from upstate New York, bonded over their Northern roots and shared love of NASCAR.

But what transformed a workplace connection into a dynamic duo was something deeper: mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to doing what was best for their patients. Over the years, they became trusted sounding boards for one another and their teams. They listened, shared ideas, collaborated, and worked through challenges together.

Their partnership extended well beyond the workplace. They watched each other's children grow up, graduate, and become parents. They celebrated career accomplishments and supported one another through life’s milestones. Through decades of healthcare change, they remained a constant presence for each other.

Providing Patient-Centered Care

For Ron, patient-centered care has always meant taking the time to make sure people feel seen, heard, and understood. He recalled one powerful experience with a patient from West Africa who was facing a serious kidney disease diagnosis and navigating language and dialect barriers. Rather than rushing the conversation, the team spent nearly two hours answering questions, explaining the diagnosis and making sure the patient understood the treatment plan. “We work together to come up with a solution,” Henry said.
“We spent over an hour and a half, I think it was almost two hours, sitting with the patient, answering questions, going through everything, explaining everything,” Ron recalled.

For Henry, his commitment to caring for others began long before his Duke Regional journey. He entered healthcare at 18 through the United States Air Force (another common bond, as Ron served in the Air Force at the same time), where he learned radiology through military service. “People always say, ‘Thank you for your service.’ I thank the service for my career and everything else,” Henry said.

Both Ron and Henry came to Durham, North Carolina seeking opportunity and professional growth. Duke’s reputation for excellence and innovation drew them to the organization. “Duke is a world-class organization. I wanted to be a part of something that wasn’t just making sure that they survived, but making sure that they thrived,” said Ron. Over twenty-five years later, that desire to grow and make a difference remains at the center of his work.

Leaving a Legacy

When asked what they hope their legacy will be, neither pointed to a title, position, or accomplishment. Instead, they talked about people. Ron hopes to be remembered for compassion, empathy, hope, and helping others find light during difficult moments. “You can use that light to help ignite other people’s light,” he said.

For Henry, legacy is reflected in reliability, kindness, humility, collaboration, and unwavering support for patients and colleagues. Ron sees those qualities in his longtime friend every day. “He always listens to other people to make sure that we’re making the best decision for the patient,” Ron said.

Their careers have also given them a front-row seat to healthcare's transformation -- from evolving technology and new ways of working to changing patient needs and expectations. Rather than resist change, they encourage others to embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Their story is a reminder that longevity in your career is about more than simply staying the course. It is about continuing to learn, adapting alongside an ever-changing healthcare landscape, and helping the people around you grow along the way. After 25 years at Duke Regional Hospital, Ron and Henry have built a legacy by the lives they have touched. Their friendship has become a partnership: their partnership has strengthened their teams, and their commitment to compassionate care has helped illuminate the path for others.

As Duke Regional celebrates 50 years of care, their story represents what makes a legacy truly meaningful: showing up for people, growing together, embracing change, and leaving the light a little brighter for those who come next.