Alexis Urbano
November 2023
Alexis
Urbano
,
RN
9 West Doan
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center University Hospital
Columbus
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

One of Alexis's best qualities is her ability to recognize the patient’s family as an extension of that patient – and that they often require some of that same care and compassion as well. Alexis’s focus was not merely on the care of R.R.  She was also there for R.R.'s wife and young daughter, who visited daily. Their faces would light up when they saw that Alexis was R.R.'s nurse for the day.
Alexis (Williams) Urbano has such exceptional qualities as a nurse and full embodies all the characteristics of a DAISY RN. I have had the privilege of working closely with Alexis for five years, and I can confidently state that her commitment to patient care and her unwavering dedication to the nursing profession and our unit are second to none. 

Alexis possesses an innate ability to connect with patients on a personal level. Her empathetic nature and genuine concern for the well-being of those in her care create an environment of comfort and trust. Patients are always expressing their gratitude for her attentive and compassionate approach. She is able to ease the anxieties of our patients always offering reassurance during challenging times. (DAISY Quality: Treats patients and families with compassion.) 

For example: 
There is one particular instance that truly exemplifies Alexis’s commitment and passion to her patients that I would like to highlight. Our unit, 9 West Doan, received 52 y/o patient R.R. to the unit after completing over a month-long stay in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU).  R.R. had been transferred from Baylor Scott and White in Dallas, TX to Ohio State with the complication of sepsis-induced vascular dysfunction from pneumococcal pneumonia.  R.R. required the amputation of all his extremities.

When R.R. came to our unit, he required a lot of assistance with simple tasks that many of us take for granted - from lifting a cup to scratching an itch. Alexis spent many hours at his bedside performing nursing duties, patient care assistant (PCA) duties, or just sitting and connecting with him.  Her compassion was overflowing. Often, I would walk by the room and hear Alexis and the patient laughing. One of Alexis's best qualities is her ability to recognize the patient’s family as an extension of that patient – and that they often require some of that same care and compassion as well. Alexis’s focus was not merely on the care of R.R.  She was also there for R.R.'s wife and young daughter, who visited daily. Their faces would light up when they saw that Alexis was R.R.'s nurse for the day. They were going through a lot of emotions on their own as well, and Alexis was there for them every step of the way. Her ability to listen attentively to patients’ concerns and questions, ensuring that they were heard and understood is just another way Alexis stands out. (DAISY Quality: Looks for opportunities to create a welcome and special environment for patients; Exceeds expectations by understanding and anticipating needs of their patients). 

This is not an uncommon story. Alexis is passionate about the care of ALL of her patients. Another example, our unit had recently re-admitted a patient. The patient told me of a balloon that was given to him by Alexis on the day he had been originally discharged from the hospital. He still has the balloon beside his chair at home. To have that devotion to others and be such a lasting impact on patients is so inspiring to me. (DAISY Quality: Instills faith and hope in patients.) 

Beyond her dedication to our unit and our patients, Alexis is also regarded as a strong leader and collaborator by our whole team.  Her positive attitude and willingness to go above and beyond and share her knowledge with patients, families, and fellow co-workers just prove how invaluable Alexis is to our healthcare system. 
I believe Alexis is a true DAISY Nurse. Her genuine compassion, extraordinary patient-centered care, effective communication, and commitment to continuous improvements in evidence-based practice truly set her apart as a remarkable nurse.