MINNETONKA, Minn. — A path checkered with pain is sometimes necessary to take steps forward.
Seeing others suffer led to a call of action for one Minnetonka woman pursuing a career in the medical field.
Hilal Ibrahim’s voice pushed Methodist Hospital to be more inclusive. Now, it offers hijabs for patients and employees. The hospital believes it is the first in the country to sell a line of hijabs.
This after a young adult raised awareness about something missing.
“I first noticed a need when I was working in labor and delivery. Seeing a lot of Muslim women, their hijab was falling off during labor or they were rushed to a c section and there was nothing available to them,” she said. “Sometimes when I was working in the ER I would see someone vomit on a hijab and need to remove it.”
Ibrahim said the hijab is a covering for women of the Muslim faith or those who value modesty. During a news conference Thursday, a spokesperson with Methodist Hospital said, “We are honored to be the first health system in the nation to offer hijabs for sale in our gift shop.”
Ibrahim said the HealthPartners collection of hijabs were specially designed with Methodist Hospital patients and employees in mind. The hospital, located in St. Louis Park, has partnered with Ibrahim’s company, Henna & Hijabs.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim is also a full-time student pursuing a career in the medical field. The full-time student and entrepreneur said she launched her Hijabs two years ago. During that time, she was told "no" more times than she can count. But each time a potential buyer said “no” she walked away with a lesson.
“'No' to us means never give up, keep on going,” she said.
Hospital staff told us proceeds from the sale will help support grants and scholarships for those pursing health care careers.