My 21 year old son who struggles with bipolar disorder and many other diagnosis’s, needed an emergent operation at AMHB. Debbie Koehnke, RN in Day Surgery was his nurse. My son was extremely agitated that morning. Debbie was a WONDERFUL example of living the Aurora Service Commitments. She was so kind to my son even though he was a “challenging” patient. Debbie showed him respect by understanding he was upset, yet communicated with him at a level where he could understand. She sat on the bed with him, got down to his eye level and had a very calming voice when speaking to him, even though his disability caused him to be irate at times. Debbie remained calm and had him focus on his need for the surgery. Debbie is clearly a champion of clinical quality and AMHB Day Surgery patients are very lucky to have her as their nurse!
Debbie definitely made a difference for him on such a difficult day. To the normal person a day surgery procedure seems easy, but for him it was the most challenging thing he has gone through. We take for granted that these things are easy. Debbie made it very easy for him and he felt very comfortable with her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring for my son as if he were your own.