Last night I came into work early and got to work at the same station as Cristina Knutson. She was the nurse for a 12-year-old girl with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome which causes her to be hospitalized frequently with seizure and respiratory complications. The mother stayed at her daughter's bedside when she is hospitalized. The father worked nights and their 14-year-old son was home alone.
Early one morning, the mother got a text message from her 14-year-old son that there were people breaking into their house and that he had used his bed to barricade his bedroom door to keep them from getting to him. He texted his mother because he was too afraid to call the police for fear that the burglars might hear him. The mother was hysterical and explained what was happening to Cristina. Cristina supported the mother while she called 911 and got police en route. The mother did not speak English or have any transportation to get home with only $20 on her. Cristina called a cab and coordinated a ride for the mother so that she could be with her son during this time.
During this event, the mother was understandably hysterical. Cristina did not hesitate to spring into action to help the mother get the authorities en route and help the mother get to her family. When the cab driver did not speak Spanish, Cristina translated for them. The ride to Victorville was $110 and the mother was afraid she would not figure out a way to pay when she got home. Cristina assured the mother that if she had trouble paying the cab driver or communicating with the cab driver at any time that she could call her directly and she would make sure that everything was taken care of. I was and am blown away by the compassion Cristina demonstrated. She is an amazing nurse and representation of Loma Linda's values.