Christina Hopkins
March 2023
Christina
Hopkins
,
BSN, RN
ICU
Integris Southwest Medical Center
Oklahoma City
,
OK
United States
They knew that her dying wish was to see her baby, C, graduate from high school. They knew this would be a feat, based on her clinical status, but they were determined to make her wish come true!
Christina and Tiffany had developed a relationship with a dear patient, S, who had congestive heart failure which was progressively getting worse. They knew that her dying wish was to see her baby, C, graduate from high school. They knew this would be a feat, based on her clinical status, but they were determined to make her wish come true!
These two nurses, along with S's respiratory therapist worked with their manager, the high school principal, and the family, to make this special event come to fruition. As the Chief Nursing Officer walked into the unit that day along with many others, they knew there would be a graduation ceremony, but did not realize how truly incredible this event would be. There were decorations, graduation food including cookies with the high school's colors and C’s name on them with punch and graduation music playing to top it all off. This is not what you would see in a typical ICU. They coordinated with the school to have the traditional cap, gown, and diploma and facilitated a graduation ceremony that didn’t leave a dry eye in the entire unit!
Each of the nurses and respiratory therapist went above and beyond their call to nursing and the healthcare profession. Each touched the heart of why we do what we do. Many times in healthcare, it is not the clinical pieces that matter – it’s the love, care, and compassion for others that make more of a difference than any medicine or treatment ever could! That’s exactly what each of these nurses did! They put S and her family first and gave her the most incredible moment that both she and her family can hold on to for eternity! Christina, Tiffany, and the RT represent why we go into the medical profession and the values that truly matter. Because of the acts of kindness exhibited by these nurses and therapist, S, C, and their family and all who were able to witness the ceremony firsthand, those that viewed it on Facebook and national television, were able to witness selfless acts of kindness and the joys of this world displaying love and compassion and making this world a better place!
Sadly, S passed away a day later and on her birthday, but because of Christina, Tiffany, and the RT's actions, she was able to go peacefully and with a smile in her heart as she got to witness a huge milestone in her child's life! Thank you for a memorable day filled with love and compassion.
These two nurses, along with S's respiratory therapist worked with their manager, the high school principal, and the family, to make this special event come to fruition. As the Chief Nursing Officer walked into the unit that day along with many others, they knew there would be a graduation ceremony, but did not realize how truly incredible this event would be. There were decorations, graduation food including cookies with the high school's colors and C’s name on them with punch and graduation music playing to top it all off. This is not what you would see in a typical ICU. They coordinated with the school to have the traditional cap, gown, and diploma and facilitated a graduation ceremony that didn’t leave a dry eye in the entire unit!
Each of the nurses and respiratory therapist went above and beyond their call to nursing and the healthcare profession. Each touched the heart of why we do what we do. Many times in healthcare, it is not the clinical pieces that matter – it’s the love, care, and compassion for others that make more of a difference than any medicine or treatment ever could! That’s exactly what each of these nurses did! They put S and her family first and gave her the most incredible moment that both she and her family can hold on to for eternity! Christina, Tiffany, and the RT represent why we go into the medical profession and the values that truly matter. Because of the acts of kindness exhibited by these nurses and therapist, S, C, and their family and all who were able to witness the ceremony firsthand, those that viewed it on Facebook and national television, were able to witness selfless acts of kindness and the joys of this world displaying love and compassion and making this world a better place!
Sadly, S passed away a day later and on her birthday, but because of Christina, Tiffany, and the RT's actions, she was able to go peacefully and with a smile in her heart as she got to witness a huge milestone in her child's life! Thank you for a memorable day filled with love and compassion.