Cindy A Smith
December 2025
Cindy A
Smith
,
RN
Lakeside 3 ICU
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Worcester
,
MA
United States
Her calming presence, her constant communication, and her explanations kept us engaged, alleviating our helplessness.
Cindy is an awesome human. My Grandma had heart valve replacement surgery the day before. That morning, the team extubated her. I stopped by that afternoon to visit, only to have a front row seat watching my G-ma have a stroke. RN Cindy was present, alert, attentive, and immediately launched a stroke protocol within minutes of my Grandma's first signs of aphagia and inability to move her arms. I realize this falls under her/the ICU unit's job description, but many healthcare providers today show no urgency, no immediacy, and no explanation to the family. Within 5 minutes of RN Cindy's assessment of G-ma, the Attending, Resident, neuro, cardio anesthesia 2 other RNs and a tech all showed up to the room and immediately wheeled her to CT. RN Cindy explained every step to my family, every possible action being taken, and why TNK/TPA is not administered after surgery -- due to increased bleeding. Then the next steps. Her calming presence, her constant communication, and her explanations kept us engaged, alleviating our helplessness. Managing family, the patient's emergency situation, and coordinating the team with calmness and class is quite impressive. Thank you, RN CINDY. We are impressed with your team.