I was with Deborah Greene during a code of a very young (30-year-old) patient with COVID, who was rapidly deteriorating. When his family arrived, I, the primary nurse, attending, and RT were all in the room with the patient. We were able to save the patient (it was obvious his passing was imminent) but wanted the family to come in and be with their loved one.


Deborah asked if the family would like a prayer, and they said they would. She prayed the most beautiful prayer with us and the family. I could tell it brought the family so much comfort. It also comforted me, as I was just a provider at the bedside! I began to recall my previous interactions with this nurse, and she always calmly cares for her patients and exudes a sense of peace that is all around her.

Several weeks later there was a difficult code of a 41-year-old male and unexpected death. After his family arrived later that evening, I had to tell them the news of his passing. Unfortunately, we could not find a chaplain that was available to address the family’s spiritual needs. I recalled that Deborah had responded to the code with the ICU team. I went down to ICU and asked if she would be willing to come to say a prayer with the family.

She came to Tower 2 with me and delivered the most beautiful prayer to the patient’s family. I could sense her prayer brought the family some peace. I am so happy to work alongside such a kind nurse who is willing to offer her faith, prayers, and peaceful presence to families in need; she brings comfort to her patients, families, peers, and me as a provider. She has exuded extraordinary acts of kindness that impact many patients and their family members.

Deborah Greene is a strong ICU nurse who works tirelessly helping her team. This embodies the relationship-centered nursing care that we deliver at the SMC-Mary Black Campus.