A very frightened patient came to our department for a treatment that her physician ordered for her post procedure. Her mother actually called, frantic to schedule the appointment because it was overdue. Mom had just been told by her daughter about the problem.
An obviously emotional patient arrived to our reception area, looking for someone to talk to about the consequences of postponing this follow up procedure, and the future implications on her health. This was an OB-GYN problem, something the nurses in our department do not frequently encounter. Denise Gilmore got a colleague to cover for her and gracefully escorted our frightened patient into a private area to talk. Her compassion and time in the patient’s hour of need, despite her minimal knowledge of the problem, assisted this patient to relax and prepare for the procedure. The patient asked to speak to me so that she could convey her gratitude to me personally about my colleague.
Denise consistently inspires her peers by demonstrating exemplary mentorship, patience and excellent clinical skills.
Recently, a UMDNJ student shared his experience shadowing Denise in a letter to the manager of our department:
“The nurse I shadowed today, Denise Gilmore, during my shift exemplifies the best that nursing has to offer. Not only is she competent, efficient and knowledgeable in her job related tasks, but she was generous in sharing her wisdom with me throughout constant interruptions by physicians and other nurses. She was exceptionally attentive to patients’ needs and never lost sight of their humanism. She possesses a selfless quality that is admirable. She lives up to my vision of nursing at its best!”