It has been almost 10 years since I first met Ms. Obi in medical walk-in, when I was a new addition to the Kings County family. I was impressed because of the way she welcomed new staff. Her kindness and caring presence stood out when she interacted with staff and patients alike.
My most memorable observation was howMs. Obi dealt with a very irate patient who was being loud and threatening. No one could calm him down. He was so distracted, he did not hear his name called, thus making him wait longer. Upon hearing him, she approached him, and he immediately calmed down and listened to every word she said. She used the same words other staff had used, but her presence did something to him. After later talking to the patient, he said that it was just something about her that changed his attitude on that day.
Ms. Obihas never changed over the years. She continues to truly embody the spirit of service excellence by treating her co-workers and other staff with dignity, compassion, and respect. Her current staff I believe would also recommend her for the DAISY Award. She cares for her patients and staff alike, making it look so easy.
On behalf of Ms. Obi's patients and those she has mentored, like me, I will forever be indebted to her. She is just the nurse everyone wants to see when they are ill.