It's a widely known fact that I consider Allison to be a great friend, but I also consider her to be a phenomenal co-worker. I am nominating her based on the exemplary care she helped provide to my young patient who had just found out her baby had passed. Caring for demises is the hardest part of our job, in my opinion, and sometimes caring for patients who are grieving, struggling, and trying to make sense of something you can't make sense of for them is difficult. You feel so powerless.
Once my patient delivered, Allison came to the room, offered her assistance, and helped to care for, bathe, and dress my patient's sleeping angel so that her mother could hold her and be with her. She showed such skill and respect while gathering footprints, fingerprints, and other memorabilia for my patient. She helped me take some of the best pictures I've ever been able to take for a grieving family, and for that, I can't thank her enough. Having a second hand in situations like these is very helpful but having a second heart makes even more of a difference.
Sometimes it is easy for us to be on autopilot when situations like these come around. We do what we have to do to get through it and we try to leave it at the door. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time doing this. Might I also add, Allison helped me take care of not only this patient but also another demise very close and dear to her heart only a few days later. I really don't know any other words to describe her other than selfless, kind, and caring with one of the biggest hearts for her patients. I feel like she's a valued asset to our unit, and I feel like people like her need to be recognized and appreciated.