Iris, to me, embodies what Shriners Hospitals for Children stands for. She has been here for 18 years and still comes to work happy, energetic, and ready for whatever the day brings. She often mediates stressful situations and can always make you remember why you are here. "Let's do this for the babies" is one of her mottos.
Iris was my preceptor when I started working here and beyond being a fantastically efficient and driven nurse, she is equally as compassionate, loving, and warm. For each patient, Iris offers the warmth you usually only find in a mother even to our 20-25 year-old patients (who, by the way, she still calls babies).
A particularly special moment for me came when just a few months off orientation, a patient passed away. I had been fighting tears for hours and Iris approached me, wrapped her arms around me, and told me to cry - "cry with the people who understand." She herself shed a few tears and was there to talk through it with me.
In all of the clinical experiences I've had, and in the time I've spent at Shriners Hospitals for Children - Galveston, I haven't met a more dedicated employee than Iris. She believes in this hospital's mission and shows her dedication each day through her expertise, treatment of "the babies" and her unwavering stance as a mother figure, close friend, and shoulder to cry on amongst her coworkers.
OR nurses can seem to be more "behind the scenes" and not as much hands-on, but that is a misconception. Iris has outstanding character and work ethic.