Brittney Pulvermacher
December 2024
Brittney
Pulvermacher
,
BSN, RN
Peds General Medical/Surgical
UW Health American Family Children's Hospital
Madison
,
WI
United States
Brittney embodies everything a compassionate and caring nurse should, and quite honestly, made E's inevitable journey to a liver transplant bearable.
Our daughter, E, was diagnosed with biliary atresia. The diagnosis was a complete surprise for us after our PCP sent us to the ED. We met Brittney on day 1 of our admission to P5, and she followed E as her primary nurse during our nearly 6-month journey. Brittney embodies everything a compassionate and caring nurse should, and quite honestly, made E's inevitable journey to a liver transplant bearable.
As we got to know Brittney, we found her to be incredibly empathetic, caring, and gentle, and she quickly became an extension of our family. Here are just a few reasons why Brittney is the poster child for the DAISY Award:
As we learned what inpatient life was like, Brittney guided us through the process of attending providers vs residents, etc., and took the time to explain how the UW system worked. Brittney would not only advocate for E by sharing her concerns with us and the medical staff, but she would also encourage us as parents to be an advocate for E.
As new adoptive parents to a child with a terminal illness, we will be forever grateful for Brittney's guidance, expertise, and empathy. Brittney would also take such simple tasks and make them a non-issue and would always make us feel at ease. On several occasions, E had scans or tests in other areas of the hospital. When transport was difficult to get ahold of, or busy, Brittney would take the time to walk us down to her appointments. Brittney would also ensure E's continuity of care during shift change.
Often, Brittney's notes in E's chart, or labeling of her IV poles, helped for a smooth transition between nurses. Brittney took the time to learn what E liked and didn't like, as well as what Dad liked and didn't like. She would use that information to make our stay feel as homey as possible. We truly were sad when Brittney was not working.
Finally, and most importantly, we feel Brittney treated both E and Dad as if we were family. She made us feel welcome, she made us smile when times were hard, we even had some good cries together throughout E's journey. We're so happy to be post-transplant recovering at home, and so so thankful to have met, and had Brittney as E's primary nurse. We are forever grateful for the care she provided E. Whether she knows it or not, she's a big part of E's transplant journey, and Brittney will be a name E knows when she's older.
As we got to know Brittney, we found her to be incredibly empathetic, caring, and gentle, and she quickly became an extension of our family. Here are just a few reasons why Brittney is the poster child for the DAISY Award:
As we learned what inpatient life was like, Brittney guided us through the process of attending providers vs residents, etc., and took the time to explain how the UW system worked. Brittney would not only advocate for E by sharing her concerns with us and the medical staff, but she would also encourage us as parents to be an advocate for E.
As new adoptive parents to a child with a terminal illness, we will be forever grateful for Brittney's guidance, expertise, and empathy. Brittney would also take such simple tasks and make them a non-issue and would always make us feel at ease. On several occasions, E had scans or tests in other areas of the hospital. When transport was difficult to get ahold of, or busy, Brittney would take the time to walk us down to her appointments. Brittney would also ensure E's continuity of care during shift change.
Often, Brittney's notes in E's chart, or labeling of her IV poles, helped for a smooth transition between nurses. Brittney took the time to learn what E liked and didn't like, as well as what Dad liked and didn't like. She would use that information to make our stay feel as homey as possible. We truly were sad when Brittney was not working.
Finally, and most importantly, we feel Brittney treated both E and Dad as if we were family. She made us feel welcome, she made us smile when times were hard, we even had some good cries together throughout E's journey. We're so happy to be post-transplant recovering at home, and so so thankful to have met, and had Brittney as E's primary nurse. We are forever grateful for the care she provided E. Whether she knows it or not, she's a big part of E's transplant journey, and Brittney will be a name E knows when she's older.