Nurse Kristen Williams was recognized for going beyond the call of duty to care for a patient with special medication needs. The patient presented to the OB triage withdrawing from a narcotic withdrawal drug. Due to the pregnancy, it was not in the best interest of the patient or the baby for the patient to suffer withdrawal, however, there was no success in reaching her provider or one of the two hospital physicians licensed to prescribe the drug.
Kristen then stepped in. She realized the patient was considering leaving against medical advice. She used critical thinking skills and made multiple calls until she found a physician able to solve the problem over a holiday weekend. She also coordinated pharmacy and social worker assistance to obtain and administer the medication. Dr. Lynn Cargill-Hickman, who nominated Kristen, says, “Not only was a baby’s life saved, but the patient was able to stay on her recovery program because of Kristen’s hard work and determination. She showed enthusiasm and energy in solving a patient care dilemma.”
Melanie Lavoi played a crucial role in helping a new mother learn how to nurse and best provide for her baby. The new mom praised her for her support and skill in helping a patient feel calm.
Her nomination read, “Melanie is an outstanding teacher and offers great wisdom to her patients. She is intentional with her patients, going out of her way to call after we went home simply to check on us and see how we were doing. She goes out of her way to make sure her patients feel cared for.”
Susan Kempf, Medical Unit, Cox Branson
Susan Kempf was recognized after a patient’s family member wrote that she did her best to comfort and encourage them during the hard process of losing a loved one.
The family member wrote that her husband was in and out of the hospital for three years. While all the staff members did a great job, Susan sticks out in her mind for the care she provided.
“At night, she always looked into the room to see if he was asleep. If he wasn’t, she would talk to him. Susan calmed any fears that my husband had in his last days and he went extremely peacefully,” the patient’s wife wrote. “Susan was there with a room full of family when he took his last breath. She told us all to keep talking to him because he could still hear us. I would not have known that and as a result, he heard a multitude of ‘I love you’s’ as he made his way back home.”
“Susan has given me many gifts: comfort, encouragement, inspiration, respect, joy, happiness,. Even though he is gone, Susan let me know he had told her he didn’t want family to worry about him. He would be fine. That is the greatest gift anyone could have given me.”
Tracy Taylor, Transitional Care Unit
Tracy Taylor was nominated by co-worker Brenda Wetta for the compassion she showed to a patient and the patient’s family. “I have to nominate Tracy Taylor for being the most incredible nurse I know,” said Brenda. As she came to work one day, she found Tracy holding the patient’s hand and consoling her until she fell asleep. Tracy had advocated for the patient with the transplant coordinator at another hospital and she had helped the family understand why they should not take the patient home against medical advice.
Brenda says, “My admiration continued as Tracy heard the family wanted to take their wife/mother to look at Christmas lights one last time and Tracy made that happen for the family despite initial answers of ‘no.’ She gave this family one of the most beautiful gifts: a special time and memory with their loved one.”
Allyson LaBee was nominated for a Daisy award after a physician noted the extraordinary care she provided for the husband of a patient.
The patient’s husband was having a difficult time emotionally and Allyson stepped in to offer comfort.
“Allyson, who was not the primary nurse, stayed in the room with the husband for more than 30 minutes until the chaplain could arrive. She went above and beyond to give compassionate nursing care,” the physician wrote. The doctor also noted, “This was definitely not a first for Allyson, as she is always going the extra mile for our patients.”
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