Eileen often references that she is an "old nurse" who is used to giving 100%, staying late, going above and beyond without a break and loving every minute of it because that's what nurses do. She is a wealth of knowledge in Critical Care, Mother/Baby and Cardiac. Eileen has been able to identify heart blocks and assists in obtaining pacemakers for patients prior to emergencies.
She is often the clinician putting all of the pieces together, organizing patients' meds, blood sugar and psycho social needs in the face of healthcare with many specialty MDs but no one managing the total patient. Eileen is compassionate. She is warm and genuine. She remembers everyone's name, looks them in the eye and sits and listens to any story a patient wants to tell her. She often is a counselor and advisor, she supports people, meeting them where they are on their health and rehabilitation journey, NEVER judging and always welcoming and getting attainable goals to encourage patients.
Eileen is responsible for nurturing and supporting the staff in CR and also mentored Jeremy from the MACC who opened a program in the southtowns. She shared policies, forms, procedures and advice. Eileen sets up multiple student internships each year in CR to help inspire and educate.
Eileen taught cardiac seminars to the Clarence Senior Center to promote a healthy cardiac life. She is a key organizer for the AHA Heart Walk, motivating our patients to participate. Eileen has donated incredible amounts of volunteer hours. She cooks and brings in healthy soups for our patients and sends some with our lower income clients. She treats everyone with dignity, will fight to set up all services for patients, she has written letters, filled out applications and made phone calls for patients intimidated by the application of service process. Eileen stays well past her shift and picks up extra days to accommodate our 33.5% increase in volume despite having a full personal plate. Eileen is always smiling and putting the patients first with a "can do"; positive attitude that motivates and is infectious.
Eileen is the first person to organize mission involvement or buy something for a coworker in need. She is the most generous and giving person. We are blessed to have such a dedicated, compassionate warm nurse striving every day to come up with ways to improve the patients' health and experience. Eileen has the soul of a nurturer and a forever nurse.