As the patient family educator, Erica has spent the last 4 -5 months developing a tracheostomy education program. She collaborated with the C7 CNS, Respiratory Services Leadership, and other pediatric facilities to develop an education program for patients with new tracheostomies. Additionally, she sought out former patients and their families to have them review the program and provide feedback regarding the content.
Recently, a family in the ICU needed this education. Erica met the family in the ICU and spent an extensive amount of time talking about what life with a “trach” would be like. She did show and tell with a mannequin and medical supplies to provide some context for the family. With the family, an education plan was developed around a schedule that worded for them. Erica was there to walk them through one of the more difficult moments in their life. She helps them focus on maintaining normalcy for their child at a time when there isn’t anything that seems “normal”. I couldn’t be more proud of Erica and the work that she has done and will continue to do Making Life Better for Children!