I would like to commend Caitlyn Vaughn on her care of a very difficult patient on the pediatric unit. I have rarely if ever, witnessed the amount of compassion, bravery, and determination she showed in caring for this very large, very aggressive patient. Because of her willingness to engage with the patient at his level of understanding, her ability to calm his intense fear and her unwavering patience, he was able to perform ADLs for the first time in 3 months. She was not fazed by his intermittently irrational and aggressive behavior or his state of uncleanliness. Her persistent, though kind, approach earned his trust, and over several hours, enabled him to wash his hair, take a shower, brush his teeth and change his clothes. And he was so proud; this was a major accomplishment for him. When he was finished, Caitlin asked if she could hug him, and his face lit up with joy. He was genuinely surprised that someone wanted to touch him.
For this patient with autism, establishing a connection with other people is difficult, and he reveled in his connection with Caitlin that day. It was obvious to me, that Caitlin was equally as excited about his ability to overcome his anxiety and connect with her. I was incredibly touched by this interaction. Caitlin's actions are an example of the culture that should be central to healthcare, of acceptance and genuine care for all people, regardless of their ability or circumstance. That day, she truly embodied what we enter healthcare for - to connect with people and help them lead healthier lives.