The care my family and I have received over the years at Springfield Clinic in Taylorville and/or in the Taylorville Memorial Hospital has always been good. Good doctors, lab technicians, nurses, and others.

On Sunday, May 18th, I needed to go to the Emergency Room to find out why it felt like a baseball had been inserted into my right ear. It was only getting worse. I couldn't even touch my ear without sharp pain resulting. I didn't think I could wait until Monday to see my primary care physician, Dr. Gill. As it turned out, that was a good decision. Once I was checked in, I was greeted by Nurse Renek, who was in the middle of a 12-hour shift. You would not have known that by her demeanor. I explained the symptoms I was having. She began with a cheerful, positive attitude, assuring me that before I left, I would know what the problem was and that a solution would be provided. That made the size of the baseball in my ear a little smaller just because of her concern and encouragement.

Nurse Renek checked on me several times while we waited for the on-call doctor to see me. When Dr. Golitko visited with me, Nurse Renek explained my symptoms to him exactly as I had explained them to her, so I could tell she was truly listening to my initial comments. Once Dr. Golitko prescribed a course of treatment for "external otitis," Nurse Renek started me on the prescribed medication and gave me the prescriptions to deliver to my local pharmacy. She explained how to use each one and what other medications I needed to stop while I was taking these new ones. She sent me on my way, wishing me a quick recovery.

Four days later, on May 22nd, I was at TMH moving my mother-in-law from a room there to a nursing home. While waiting for all the paperwork, I noticed swelling and numbness starting under my nose and on my lips. Second by second, the swelling was getting worse. Since I was already at the hospital, I thought I'd go down to the ER or the Walk-In Clinic to have someone check what was happening. On my way down, I had the great fortune to run into Nurse Renek, who was back on duty again. She remembered me from the prior Sunday visit and noticed the swelling on my face. She had concerns that maybe I was reacting to the Cipro antibiotic. She offered me the Walk-In Clinic around the corner or a closer visit to the ER. Since I felt that she and the doctors there would have a memory of the Sunday visit, I chose the ER.

Similar to the previous visit, Nurse Renek could not have been more concerned and compassionate about my health issue. Impressive. I've always been treated well by TMH staff, but she went so far beyond that. She has all the qualities of a great nurse:
Empathy and compassion -- I could tell she knew I was in a lot of pain on my first visit and was genuinely concerned.
Great communication skills -- She kept me informed of when the doctor would be in to see me based on his other patients.
Attention to detail -- She made sure I knew how and when to take the prescribed medicines and told me what to do if they didn't work.
A friendly attitude -- Nurse Renek makes you feel like you are her only patient, which we know isn't true.

Even after long shifts, her demeanor remains positive. I hope I never have to see her or any other ER health care provider in the future. But if I do, I can't think of a nurse I'd rather have than Nurse Renek. She is a role model. Keep her! Thank you.

This is Cheyanne's 2nd DAISY Award!