December 2016
Danielle
Burgess
,
RN
Special Care Unit
Pen Bay Medical Center
Rockport
,
ME
United States
My family and I were recently at Pen Bay for seven days straight while my father-in-law was a patient on the Special Care Unit. Of the many caregivers who helped us through his last days, Danielle left a lasting impression on our family by going above and beyond to care for all of us. She started out with a friendly, warm welcome at 7 a.m. for my mother-in-law and continued to support her throughout the day. Danielle was very attentive to my father-in-law and his needs even though he was unable to communicate, and provided high-quality care for his complex issues. Despite some time-consuming difficulties with medication deliveries, she remained calm and patient and kept a great attitude, making his safety and needs her number one priority. Numerous times during that day, I witnessed Danielle not only checking my father-in-law but also taking the time to offer emotional support, refreshment and hugs to his very scared wife along with a shoulder to cry on as his condition was not improving. Danielle demonstrated extraordinary compassion, excellent nursing skills and made a tragic situation just a bit more bearable.