Chris is always going above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service within a unique, challenging rehabilitation program. She is extremely motivated and willing to do whatever is necessary to improve the lives of all the patients she treats. Her cheerful personality, smile and positive attitude are contagious—certainly a healing power for all those who are blessed to have her as their nurse or co-worker. She maintains excellent communications, and as a weekend only nurse, she does a fabulous job of communicating to the entire treatment team any concerns, issues, or observations she has made for specific patients or the program in general. Chris has even come in or called in for discussion of program issues which were highlighted by her experiences or could be implemented by her on weekend tours of duty.
Chris truly sees the whole picture. In rehab, it takes a whole team including nursing, physicians, and rehab therapists. She is not afraid to wear many hats and jump in whenever needed. She thinks outside of the box, using creative approaches to increase patients’ participation in productive, meaningful activities during their free time. She encourages participation in recreation and leisure activities. Chris has been known to have heart-to-heart discussions with patients about sensitive issues, raising their awareness and interpersonal trust. She has been known to sit and “be there” by simply watching a movie with patients who are lonely or depressed after injury, providing them with comfort and understanding while letting them know they are not alone.
Chris became aware of a former patients’ downward spiral due to increased alcohol use and initiated a potentially life-saving intervention such as a wellness check by law enforcement when he was in crisis. Another time, she spent a great deal of time talking to a patient about sexuality after injury, specifically helping him figure out the right timing after injury to approach intimacy issues with his wife after his injury resulted in separation while he stayed in Tampa for rehab and she returned home to work and care for their young child. Other times, she has donated her personal tickets for USF baseball games to enable our patients to enjoy community events and feelings of “normalcy” after severe brain injuries.
Chris regularly presents information, education and options for achieving their treatment goals and enjoys taking them out into the community to give them “real world” experience. In the dynamic community setting, she triumphs as a mentor, knowing the importance of the real world as a classroom for our rehab patients to transfer the skills learned in therapies into routines and habits that further their independence and successes. She regularly demonstrates this care, compassion and knowledge as a nurse, team member, and mentor while maintaining the patients’ dignity, trust, and independence.