August 2021
Adam
Quigley
,
ADN, RN
5N/S
Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital
Cleveland
,
OH
United States
Adam helped arrange for the wedding to be held in the Chapel at Fairview.
I believe that one specific nurse deserves special recognition for going above and beyond for a patient. The patient was a 60-year-old male who was newly diagnosed with ALS in May of 2021 with progressively worsening symptoms. He was admitted for generalized weakness and increasing shortness of breath. The patient was non-verbal and bed/wheelchair bound due to his deteriorating condition. The family, including seven adopted children, decided to change the patient’s code status to DNR-CCA and consulted Palliative Medicine. During this hospital stay, his daughter was to be married, and the patient was not going to be able to attend due to his declining state. Adam helped arrange for the wedding to be held in the Chapel at Fairview. He received medical approval from the patient’s physician and, with the help of the NOM, PCNA, and the patient’s family, was able to get him ready for the wedding. Adam helped the patient into a tux, did his hair, and helped him into a wheelchair, so that he would be able to “walk” his daughter down the aisle. Adam received approval to have a total of 10 in attendance. This included family, a photographer, and the Mayor of Berea who married the couple. The patient and his daughter were able to share a first dance and visit after the ceremony. Adam also helped the patient with a live-stream feed of the reception. During a pandemic that has lasted longer than most of us anticipated, and when healthcare workers are suffering from the extreme effects of burn-out, it is heart-warming to see the continued compassion nurses show their patients. Adam's impact on this patient and his family will be long-lasting and cherished for the rest of their lives.