Chris Gerry
April 2021
Christine
Gerry
,
RN
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center
Bangor
,
ME
United States
Chris Gerry is constantly running around the unit, offering love and support to every patient and fellow co-worker she encounters, far beyond her call of duty.
Chris Gerry has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. Recently, there was a particular patient who was very sick on our unit. The patient was very sick and very confused/delirious and the patient's significant other who was present was very frightened and upset. Chris, who was very busy as it is, took the time to go into the room with the patient's significant other and sat down next to her on the couch in the room and explained the disease process, the why’s, and the how’s.
Every single day, Chris shows up physically and emotionally for her coworkers and her patients. She is the go-to girl for all questions, advice, a second set of eyes, and help. Chris's love for patients and her calling shines through in each and everything she does. Chris goes above and beyond all expectations every day I have ever worked with her. There are too many stores to name just one; she cares for patients as she would care for her own family. She exhibits love, kindness, and true caring in every single interaction she has with her patients.
Chris is one of those people who does an incredible job but often flies under the radar as she avoids the spotlight. Chris has never complained about an assignment, she has never rolled her eyes when a call bell rings, she has never complained about any aspect of this job. Chris is not only attentive to her patients but attentive to their families as well. I have many times witnessed Chris bring food up from the cafeteria for family members who did not have money of their own to even eat. I have watched Chris wrap sobbing loved ones in her arms and hold them. I have watched as Chris gave pieces of herself to her patients and their families. Her presence during the worst times of these people's lives was nothing short of beautiful to watch. She is such a gift and a light in the life of so many.
I have watched Chris get warm blankets and cover-up sleeping wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, children. I have watched as Chris has cared for even the most challenging patients with love and dignity. She is loving and accepting of all people, and she is the very definition of empathy.
Chris and I once had a patient together who happened to be an incarcerated individual, who required a certain level of security at the bedside (guards). Many of our staff/coworkers were uneasy and appeared scared of this individual, but not Chris. She went in as she would any other patient. She introduced herself and began her assessment. The patient was angry and very standoffish at first. But by the end of the day, this individual warmed right up to Chris as everyone does. Chris completed her assessment, asked her questions, checked fluids and drips and chest tubes and output, etc., and then she pulled up a stool and just started to talk to this patient. He looked shocked, but he opened up. I was in the patient's room later in the evening, and the patient actually teared up and told me how thankful he was to have met Chris, how that interaction with her changed his view of healthcare and this hospital as a whole. He said that people have treated him poorly because of his appearance, his past, and the fact that he is incarcerated, but Chris treated him with love and that he felt it changed his life.
Chris attends to people's physical, mental, and emotional health. Chris notices things that many others overlook. Chris is able to incorporate other's values and beliefs into patient care because she notices things that others do not. Chris is so attentive to her patients and always has her eye on them; she misses nothing! Chris is often the go-to girl for questions about the disease process, presentation, and clinical symptoms of patients. Chris is a phenomenal second set of eyes, and we're all known for running things by Chris. Chris is always positive and kind to every single person she meets. She radiates love and caring and serves as a role model for even senior nurses on our unit. I am really proud to work with Chris. There are so many reasons and specific scenarios I could write, but I will just say that Chris is so dedicated to her unit, this hospital, the community. She encompasses what it is to be a nurse and she lives it every day. Chris has the heart of a nurse.
Chris Gerry is constantly running around the unit, offering love and support to every patient and fellow co-worker she encounters, far beyond her call of duty. Chris is never in a bad mood- and even if she is, it never shows. I am a CNA and a student nurse, and Chris is an example to me, and many like me, of what it means to truly have the heart of a nurse. "Like a DAISY, Chris fostered and encourages the growth of others through her own practice, love, diligence, service, humility, and leadership. Free of judgment and opinions." This hospital is truly, truly lucky to have Chris.
Every single day, Chris shows up physically and emotionally for her coworkers and her patients. She is the go-to girl for all questions, advice, a second set of eyes, and help. Chris's love for patients and her calling shines through in each and everything she does. Chris goes above and beyond all expectations every day I have ever worked with her. There are too many stores to name just one; she cares for patients as she would care for her own family. She exhibits love, kindness, and true caring in every single interaction she has with her patients.
Chris is one of those people who does an incredible job but often flies under the radar as she avoids the spotlight. Chris has never complained about an assignment, she has never rolled her eyes when a call bell rings, she has never complained about any aspect of this job. Chris is not only attentive to her patients but attentive to their families as well. I have many times witnessed Chris bring food up from the cafeteria for family members who did not have money of their own to even eat. I have watched Chris wrap sobbing loved ones in her arms and hold them. I have watched as Chris gave pieces of herself to her patients and their families. Her presence during the worst times of these people's lives was nothing short of beautiful to watch. She is such a gift and a light in the life of so many.
I have watched Chris get warm blankets and cover-up sleeping wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, children. I have watched as Chris has cared for even the most challenging patients with love and dignity. She is loving and accepting of all people, and she is the very definition of empathy.
Chris and I once had a patient together who happened to be an incarcerated individual, who required a certain level of security at the bedside (guards). Many of our staff/coworkers were uneasy and appeared scared of this individual, but not Chris. She went in as she would any other patient. She introduced herself and began her assessment. The patient was angry and very standoffish at first. But by the end of the day, this individual warmed right up to Chris as everyone does. Chris completed her assessment, asked her questions, checked fluids and drips and chest tubes and output, etc., and then she pulled up a stool and just started to talk to this patient. He looked shocked, but he opened up. I was in the patient's room later in the evening, and the patient actually teared up and told me how thankful he was to have met Chris, how that interaction with her changed his view of healthcare and this hospital as a whole. He said that people have treated him poorly because of his appearance, his past, and the fact that he is incarcerated, but Chris treated him with love and that he felt it changed his life.
Chris attends to people's physical, mental, and emotional health. Chris notices things that many others overlook. Chris is able to incorporate other's values and beliefs into patient care because she notices things that others do not. Chris is so attentive to her patients and always has her eye on them; she misses nothing! Chris is often the go-to girl for questions about the disease process, presentation, and clinical symptoms of patients. Chris is a phenomenal second set of eyes, and we're all known for running things by Chris. Chris is always positive and kind to every single person she meets. She radiates love and caring and serves as a role model for even senior nurses on our unit. I am really proud to work with Chris. There are so many reasons and specific scenarios I could write, but I will just say that Chris is so dedicated to her unit, this hospital, the community. She encompasses what it is to be a nurse and she lives it every day. Chris has the heart of a nurse.
Chris Gerry is constantly running around the unit, offering love and support to every patient and fellow co-worker she encounters, far beyond her call of duty. Chris is never in a bad mood- and even if she is, it never shows. I am a CNA and a student nurse, and Chris is an example to me, and many like me, of what it means to truly have the heart of a nurse. "Like a DAISY, Chris fostered and encourages the growth of others through her own practice, love, diligence, service, humility, and leadership. Free of judgment and opinions." This hospital is truly, truly lucky to have Chris.