The team working in our clinical decision unit is an inspiring group, to say the least. This group has displayed amazing adaptability and willingness to step out of their comfort zone during recent surges by taking inpatients, COVID patients, and often-high acuity patients in an already fast-paced work environment. Each member of the team has been profoundly proactive in driving patient throughput despite these conditions and did so while providing only the highest quality of care available.

On numerous occasions, the Clinical Decision Unit was the saving grace for the Emergency Department as they worked to help decompress the ED admission holds log jam, taking both observation status and higher acuity admitted patients. Each nurse on this unit takes ownership of their success and strives to provide compassionate care on a unit that operates at what is often a frenetic pace.

Courage is a central value at Memorial Hermann, and this team held this quality on display as they worked to care for our patients during the recent pandemic surges. It is an honor to work with such a resolute and dedicated team.