Any nurse whose trademark is tucking her patients into bed, and giving them a kiss, is clearly a nurse who possesses a heartfelt devotion to her patients. And this is certainly the case with Annie.
Annie works with a patient population that is challenging by any measure. The patients she cares for have cancer, advanced GI disease, and skin issues that cause significant alterations in elimination, mobility and self-image. Most of these patients have had to endure one traumatic insult after another. Their capacity to cope is exhausted. They are often angry and depressed. This is where Annie comes in. Most any nurse could perform the skills, but not many nurses have the capacity for supportive and restorative care to these special patients that she provides. In the midst of their darkest times, and greatest challenges, Annie steps in and works miracles.
Annie brought many years of expertise when she came into ET. She has utilized these skills and knowledge in combination with her enormous capacity to care and it has been transformative for countless patients and their families over the years. Often, Annie's patients have an altered body image to the point that they say they cannot look at their ostomy or wound, and they cannot begin to learn self-care techniques. Annie hears that with her compassionate heart and she somehow convinces them that they can do anything. Annie facilitates miracle upon miracle with these patients. Slowly they begin to summon the strength and courage needed to care for themselves and they see that indeed they can do what is necessary. They do have the ability to change their own circumstances. These patients who are at the depths of despair, fear, anger and self-doubt when Annie meets them, suddenly are courageous and confident. There is light and hope where once there was darkness and despair before Annie got involved.
In addition to the care she provides, Annie takes the time to listen, counsel, advise and teach the countless new nurses who come into the Shadyside family. Many, many nurses here at Shadyside owe their knowledge of skin care, and complex wound and ostomy management to Annie. She always has time to teach and grow the next generation of nurses.
One story which I feel best demonstrates the depths of Annie's devotion to her work happened late in the evening on a very busy Saturday. Annie had singlehandedly managed every ostomy and skin care need within the entire building since early that morning. At around 7:30 pm, I looked down the hallway to see Annie rounding on 4 Main room to room, with her behemoth cart of supplies. She was smiling, and thoughtfully going door to door on all the patients, rounding one more time before she left. She had to be exhausted, but you couldn't tell it. She checked every patient as if she had all the time in the world. If she found an issue, she grabbed her supplies and she fixed it herself. At the conclusion of each repair, she tucked in the blankets, and gave each patient a hug and a kiss.Annie is a tireless angel of mercy. I feel she truly deserves to be recognized for her years of transforming lives.