Deb Phelps

Deb was nominated by an MD:

Deb is an outstanding nurse for many reasons. She is an incredible patient advocate, has a great clinical sense of when a patient is not doing well before the obvious objective clinical data presents itself and is able to effectively communicate with us mercurial physicians.

Earlier this year she helped care for a patient that was challenging for everyone involved. It was her ability to problem solve and bring together all the people involved in the patient's care that helped get the patient well enough to be discharged home when it seemed like that was an impossible task. She helped the physicians, the dieticians, the other nurses, the physical therapists and the discharge planners understand the patient better as well as helped empower the patient and her family. The complexity of the patient's clinical situation with its' difficult ethical issues as well as the frustrating personality of the patient and her psychosocial situation made everyone want to run away, but Deb was not afraid to march right into the hurricane of issues and help us all figure out how to take care of her.

The patient now is receiving the appropriate care at a tertiary care facility thanks to efforts by many, but Deb made efforts way beyond what even the best nurses do. She is truly exceptional.