Faces of Saint Peter's: Virginia “Ginny” Hughes

The first face that many visitors to Saint Peter’s University Hospital see is often that of Ginny Hughes.

The first face that many visitors to Saint Peter’s University Hospital see is often that of Ginny Hughes. She works at the main reception desk and provides a warm welcome to patients, their family members and hospital guests. In her spare time, Hughes is an avid antiques collector who loves to poke through garage sales and collectibles fairs looking for that perfect find. The Monroe Township native, 67, is divorced with two grown children and two grandchildren.

How long have you worked at Saint Peter’s?

I have worked there 34 years, the past 14 years at the front desk. Saint Peter’s has been very good to me. I was going through a divorce when I started and the hospital offered a lot of opportunity for me. It gave me security and helped me raise my children.

What do you like about working the front desk?

I think I have a natural ability to help people feel comfortable. People are coming in for procedures or visiting ill patients, and some are nervous. To greet them with a smile is very reassuring to them. I have had people tell me they were grateful for my smile. Sometimes you don’t know what your purpose is and I feel that I’m where I am to make other people feel comfortable. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction.

What is it about antiquing that you enjoy?

It’s “the find.” I went to a sale in New Hampshire and fell in love with a chair. I have had that chair for 41 years! I also like old cookbooks. I remember visiting the Somerset County Nurses Association’s rummage sale and I found a cookbook written by Vincent Price, the actor. I put it back on the shelf and while I was checking out a woman told the cashier it was worth $175! It was marked for about $7, so I was really disappointed I didn’t purchase it. But the following year, I went to the cookbook section and one book fell off the shelf. Don’t you know—it was the Vincent Price cookbook! It was as if someone shoved it off the shelf for me to buy.