Don Maddox
May 2020
Don
Maddox
,
RN
Emergency Department
Mammoth Hospital
Mammoth Lakes
,
CA
United States
As the patient, I could not have been happier with Don's experience and professionalism.
I came in with a pretty big laceration in my left calf. Don immediately made me feel that I was in the best care. He was calm, funny, and very professional. He made a comment that I've shared with a great number of people. Everyone cracks up! I asked him if he thought the cut on my leg was bad. He replied, "Well, I'm an ER Nurse, when a guy comes in with a leg injury and his friend is carrying the leg...THAT'S bad to me." I will never forget that in my entire life. Great guy, great nurse!
***
I was admitted after a ski accident. I had multiple rib fractures and a potential brain bleed. Because of the medications I take, the seriousness was high. Don was clear in explaining the process, potential outcomes, and managing my pain thresholds. He was helpful to my family who were obviously upset and concerned. He was very reassuring while being clear. As the patient, I could not have been happier with his experience and professionalism. Much appreciated!
***
Don is a local celebrity. He gets recognized frequently in the community as the ER nurse who took care of them. He always stops and has a kind word with that person, and I am always asking. This winter he gave his snow boots to one of his patients since that patient had inappropriate footwear for the weather. He is a constant advocate for ski helmets. He lectures parents and patients regarding the need to protect their heads. I don't know how many times I have heard the lecture on the gondola and on ski chairs asking people "Where is your helmet?". He truly cares for people. He has stayed late many nights, always wanting to make sure the patients and staff are not abandoned. May we all try to emulate Don's nursing ethics, his kind bedside care, and nursing professionalism.
***
I cannot think of any staff member who would be upset that Don was working. They know Don will have their back. He has been on numerous transports with patients to the airport for Life Flight as the ER nurse. Christmas Eve of the snowpocalypse, he transported a patient to Santa Barbara because flights were shut down. He once called me adrenaline junky when I worked trauma in a busy ER. He is now that junky. His usual assignment is 1-2-3 and trauma. He can set me a chest tube and assist with no fear. He orders instruments for the ER doctors since he was a surgical tech for 10 years and knows what they are asking for. In a pinch, he has assisted in OR and has done conscious sedation for PACU.
***
I was admitted after a ski accident. I had multiple rib fractures and a potential brain bleed. Because of the medications I take, the seriousness was high. Don was clear in explaining the process, potential outcomes, and managing my pain thresholds. He was helpful to my family who were obviously upset and concerned. He was very reassuring while being clear. As the patient, I could not have been happier with his experience and professionalism. Much appreciated!
***
Don is a local celebrity. He gets recognized frequently in the community as the ER nurse who took care of them. He always stops and has a kind word with that person, and I am always asking. This winter he gave his snow boots to one of his patients since that patient had inappropriate footwear for the weather. He is a constant advocate for ski helmets. He lectures parents and patients regarding the need to protect their heads. I don't know how many times I have heard the lecture on the gondola and on ski chairs asking people "Where is your helmet?". He truly cares for people. He has stayed late many nights, always wanting to make sure the patients and staff are not abandoned. May we all try to emulate Don's nursing ethics, his kind bedside care, and nursing professionalism.
***
I cannot think of any staff member who would be upset that Don was working. They know Don will have their back. He has been on numerous transports with patients to the airport for Life Flight as the ER nurse. Christmas Eve of the snowpocalypse, he transported a patient to Santa Barbara because flights were shut down. He once called me adrenaline junky when I worked trauma in a busy ER. He is now that junky. His usual assignment is 1-2-3 and trauma. He can set me a chest tube and assist with no fear. He orders instruments for the ER doctors since he was a surgical tech for 10 years and knows what they are asking for. In a pinch, he has assisted in OR and has done conscious sedation for PACU.