Around 8:30 one night, a female patient came out of her room into the hall coughing and gagging with her hands around her neck. Allen Ganaban was standing at the nurse's station when he heard the commotion. This was not Allen's patient but without hesitation, Allen immediately ran to the patient and began the Heimlich maneuver.
The patient expelled the food she was choking on and thanked Allen for his help. Thanks to his critical thinking and quick actions, the patient was safe and no harm came to the patient.
As his leader, I would also like to add that he works the night shift and is always the rock on the floor. He is an awesome team leader and his team relies on his knowledge and leadership during difficult situations. No matter what he is doing he attends every Rapid Assessment Team (RAT) call and code on the unit when he is here and is right in the middle helping and guiding his team.
He rounds on his team and tirelessly and selflessly helps them to ensure timely and safe patient care. I have often told him and others that he has the extraordinary ability to rally his team. When I come in and he is here no matter what is going on the team is calm, happy, and working together. I can count on him to follow policies, procedures, and
processes and to escalate when needed. He is looked upon by his co-workers as a leader and he truly defines the definition of a mentor, one who advises, teaches, and guides by his actions. He is undoubtedly deserving of the DAISY Award for his actions of that night but also for his ongoing and never wavering support for his team and the quality care he delivers to Parkland's patients. He certainly is an example of an exemplary
nurse and one we would all like to emulate.