February 2021
Elizabeth
Diaz
,
RN
US Navy Hospital Okinawa Branch Medical Clinic Camp Hansen
US Navy Hospital Okinawa Branch Medical Clinic Camp Hansen
Ginowan
United States
- After 11-12 days of hospitalization, in the midst of the COVID-19 craziness, for "dystonia like" tremors (but not dystonia so we are labeling my mysterious shaking as The Invisible Intruder) the doctors at the Naval hospital were not able to diagnosis what’s causing my body to have tremors, muscle spasms, or convulsions. Therefore, fast forward to my appointment and meetings with Dr. D, I needed a team on my side who’s not willing to give up easily to find the answers to what’s going on with my body. RN Diaz has been my own personal superhero who’s fighting for me and with me, to get the help I need. She fought through referral management to get me an appointment with off-base rheumatology. There was a lot of back and forth with referral management unable to get an appointment due to COVID-19 and etc. However, she kept pressing forward and did not accept "no" for the final answer. We finally got an appointment to see an autoimmune specialist to hopefully find answers and the connections for my tremors. Even after the hospitalization, I still experience daily tremors and if it weren’t for someone to be on my side like RN Diaz, I would have been left hopeless and powerless facing this alone. It’s empowering to know that I’ve been in great care because of nurses who give a crap and not wanting to medically mismanage patients. She asks the right kind of questions, offers insights, and also fights with you in the arena. In a time that we face today on the global aspect of a pandemic, she demonstrates incredible compassion, kindness, and persistence that is needed in leaders. Her tenacity and leadership are the best I’ve been privileged to experience in my 8 ½ years of service in the Marine Corps. She’s the kind of treasure and gold in the midst of chaos and darkness that we need in this world.
- RN Diaz is an exceptional nurse who goes above and beyond the call of duty for our BMC Hansen patients every day, providing a safe and nurturing environment. RN Diaz is passionate about taking care of her patients and is dedicated to the mission. She is an advocate for them and is not afraid to speak up to address their needs. Her kindness and compassion are unparalleled. She connects and communicates with her patients on a personal level providing comfort, ease, and encouragement. Her commitment to her patients and our mission is nothing short of remarkable. She helped a patient who was on a waiting list for two years for a pending surgery get approved after getting the runaround.
- Thank you for being the person to fight for others and championing them through the unknown. I appreciate your heart, kindness, and … for me. Thank you for advocating for my care on my behalf. It really means a lot to me and I wanted to take the time to say thank you. You are an exceptional nurse, leader, human being, and woman.