I send this message to commend Gloria Carlton for not only exceeding professional standards of nursing care excellence in critical care, but for a gift of compassion to be respected. Her ability to provide strength and support to bereaved families is commendable. I had the honor of recently sharing a patient with her. Sadly the patient passed away; more sad was his daughter's devastation with his death. Gloria had the emotional and physical strength to hold this young woman in the throws of grief-not only preventing injury but offering solace as well.
My next patient experience with Gloria involved a tragically rapidly progressive respiratory failure death. While family could not be located, Gloria sat with this man, holding his hand while he expired. While comfort measures were ordered, no prescription could be filled in the way Gloria cradled this man's fear and eased him into a dignified death. When tireless efforts to not let a patient pass without family notification was successful, Gloria came with the deceased's only family members to view his body in our morgue. Being able to truthfully report that her brother had not died alone, Gloria was able to provide peace to a stricken sister unexpectedly mourning her brother.
There are many more examples of Gloria's performance but these brought me to tears and cannot go without mention. Please pass on to any and all who should know we are all better for her presence with us.
It is an absolute professional pleasure to work with Gloria Carlton.