I was recently at UNMH for a week for some IV antibiotics to treat a Cystic Fibrosis exacerbation. I wanted to take the time to point out some key individuals that had a big hand in my care.
I was fearful to check myself in for a week, but my fears were quickly dissipated. I was wheeled into room 547 and there was Bill Araujo. He was my admitting nurse and he was beyond amazing. He truly set the stage for how my visit was going to go. He was friendly, caring, and eased my ridiculous fears with humor. He told me that I could get out and walk around, go outside if I wanted to, as long as I was there for all of my treatments. I jokingly asked if I could go to the Frontier, he paused, and with a big smile said, "Well, you wouldn't be the first". I obviously didn't go to the Frontier, but he really made me feel comfortable being there. Everything was going to be OK!
I received amazing care from the entire nursing staff, but I would like to especially recognize Lynn Scott (who, ironically, also knows my husband), and Jeff Deacon on the day shift. Lynn was my day nurse for the majority of my stay. When she told me she had just been there for a few months, I was shocked. I really thought she had been doing this for years! She was so on top of everything, just top-notch customer service! Also, Blake Schneider and Mike Torres on the night shift. And I definitely can't forget Geri (Geraldine Guerra-Sandoval)! She is so sweet, and was there for most of my nights, and she was fabulous! You really have some caring folks on your nursing team!
Other amazing people that made my week fly by…
Techs - Kaitlyn Kerr and Jennifer Angel-West. Both very sweet and attentive with anything I needed. Covering my PICC line so I could take a shower, making the bed, water, snacks, meals, whatever - they had it covered!
Respiratory Therapists - Mariam Morgan-Smith, Roque Gonzales, Josh Nava, Melissa Marquez, Aaron Thorne, Tony Dilucente, and Bill Bacon not only administered my treatments, they were there to teach. I learned things from each one that I can incorporate into my daily treatments.
PICC team - Jeff Sillivent and Mike Apodaca. They actually made it fun. Yes, fun.
Kudos to my CF team: Dr. Teresa Heynekamp, Karen-Lynn Fiato, and Laura Newland. Wouldn't be where I am without their endless caring from each of them. Love the new CF clinic!
My Social Worker - Trina Zahller. She went above and beyond to instill some normalcy in my week. She took me to the park on the second floor so we could get out of the hospital setting and talk about the transplant questions that I had.
Dr. Helen Busby, Dr. Eileen Barrett, Dr. Francisco Rivera, Dr. Jeffrey Shehane, and 'student guy' I know were all integral parts of my healing team. I appreciate their knowledge and compassion.
I really felt comfortable with everyone that came to my room, in their yellow gowns and purple gloves. They explained everything in a way that made perfect sense. I really felt that I was part of my own care, instead of just being told what to do, and I appreciate that. I felt totally respected.
I know I am probably overlooking some folks, but truly, everyone was wonderful. The people are what made the experience great - as great as it can be in a hospital for a week, with a PICC line. It doesn't matter so much about the facility, or the food. It's that the things that were important to me were all there. Respect, being part of my own care, some comforts of home, and happy, knowledgeable people to help me get healthy so I could get home and get on with my crazy amazing life.
At the end of my stay, there was Bill again to tie it all up for me. He changed my PICC dressing, reviewed my discharge paperwork with me, and called for a wheelchair. Full circle.
You have an amazing team. You should be very proud of your staff and what they stand for, the care they give, and the love they have for the patients.
These are the Honorees who received this DAISY Team Award:
Sheena Ferguson, MSN, RN, CNO; Bill Araujo, RN; Lynn Scott, RN; Jeff Deacon, RN; Blake Schneider, RN; Mike Torres, RN; Geraldine Guerra-Sandoval, RN; Kaitlyn Kerr, PCT; Jennifer Angel-West, PCT ; Mariam Morgan-Smith, RT; Roque Gonzales, RT; Josh Nava, RT; Melissa Marquez, RT; Aaron Thorne, RT; Tony Dilucente, RT; Bart Bacon, RT; Jeff Sillivent, RN; Mike Apodaca, RN; Theresa Heynekamp, MD; Karen-Lynn Fiato, APRN; Laura Newland, RN; Trina Zahller, SW; Helen Busby, MD; Eileen Barrett, MD; Francisco Rivera, MD; & Jeffrey Shehane, MD