Isabel consistently demonstrates all of the qualities of a compassionate and caring nurse. Patients are Isabel's first priority, even above her own needs, she is technically a very good nurse and she seeks opportunities for education in order to provide the best care for her patients. Her compassion does not stop with patients. Isabel is also compassionate with her colleagues; she ensures her peers have help when they are busy, and she ensures that her team has taken breaks and lunches.
It was during the six days we spent at the hospital during Hurricane Harvey that I witnessed incredible displays of heartfelt generosity by the entire Emergency Center Ride Out Team. Isabel stands out in my mind as one of those everyday heroes. In the Emergency Center, as we got patients that trickled in, Isabel always made herself available to help her peers and help the patients as they came in.
During the storm, I was tasked with attending meetings throughout the day to report and receive information. As I received information from the command center that there were needs throughout the organization, I was always able to communicate to Isabel our needs, and she helped assemble teams. As an example, I received information that there was a leak in our basement and medical equipment was in danger of being damaged. I radioed Isabel, she was there with the team before I exited the elevator. The team waded in water, pushed equipment, lifted boxes and helped salvage the equipment.
One morning I was in the hallway and casually bumped into a NICU nurse, in conversation I realized that the nurses there were incredibly tired with high census and might be able to use some support. I relayed this information to our team and again Isabel helped to assemble a team to provide some support for those nurses and help those patients. During the second day of the storm, our team began to receive bad news about their homes, questions about the safety of their own families. The uncertainty of not knowing the status of their homes and being away from families took a toll on everyone very quickly. Isabel helped our team by organizing distracting games, teaching a modified CrossFit class, helping to create a break schedule, a laundry schedule. Isabel emerged as an informal leader and supported patients, peers, organization and our leadership team. This is what she does every day.
As the waters receded and the team was able to go home after six days, Isabel used the same "Group Me" App we used in the EC during the hurricane to coordinate resources to aid our colleagues with demolishing of their homes. This effort continues to this day.
Isabel stands out as a nurse who provides extraordinary compassionate care for patients, for families, for colleagues, and for our community.