Jacqueline Fortino
June 2022
Jacqueline
Fortino
,
RN
CVC PACU
University of Michigan Health at Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor
,
MI
United States
Jackie is such a kind and compassionate person. She completely meets the hospital’s mission of providing exceptional care and always putting patients and families first!
Jackie cared for me in 2000 when I spent several weeks in the SICU, on ECMO, with complications related to bilateral PEs and subsequent heart failure, kidney failure, lung failure, acute ARDS, and secondary pulmonary hypertension. I was very sick at the time and Jackie made a huge impression on me due to her bedside manner in the SICU. I remember the care she provided to me very well!
One day I was told I had to undergo an emergent procedure and the surgical consent had me consenting to a number of different things because they were not quite sure what I needed…a lysis, thrombectomy, IVC filer removal, and other things. This was still during the pandemic when I couldn’t have anyone with me. As I am getting the consent process completed, I was growing more and more anxious, and unsure about everything. I also had many questions that were going to be unanswered simply because there wasn’t time to get answers, as I needed the procedure now. The ER nurse was wheeling me up to the CVC 5 PACU and my heart was getting more and more anxious. They wheeled me into Bay 5, and as I looked up whom did I see? Miss Jackie Fortino! It was in that instant that I knew I was going to be ok because Jackie was there! What are the chances of me being reacquainted 20 years after my first blood clot? Being so unsure and scared, alone, and just so anxious…and to see this terrific RN who cared for me so graciously in the past.
As I type this letter, I have tears running down my face thinking of how much fate has played a role in my life, starting in 2000, and now again in 2021. Jackie said to me “what are you doing here?” Like she didn’t already know!? I told her what I knew, and how scared and anxious I was. Jackie told me, “you have to get that filter removed.” Prior to this, I was thinking of not consenting to the removal, but Jackie told me how wonderful the Interventional Radiologist was, and how she was pretty sure that another doctor would also be there. She also told me how they are world-renowned, about how they do this procedure all of the time, and how it was going to help me.
Jackie is such a kind and compassionate person. She completely meets the hospital’s mission of providing exceptional care and always putting patients and families first! Her clinical skills are top-notch, and her bedside manner is superior. I have vivid memories of Jackie motivating me…a very sick me…back in 2000. And now 21 years later, here she is being my cheerleader again. I can only hope that the CV Leadership knows how great a nurse they employ and how she does make a difference daily in the care that she gives.
To Jackie, thank you! I cannot explain the relief and comfort that you provided to me this past Tuesday. The surgery went okay, I lost too much blood and had to have a second procedure, but you were right, things are definitely going in the right direction. THANK YOU AGAIN JACKIE for all that you do in delivering exceptional patient care!
One day I was told I had to undergo an emergent procedure and the surgical consent had me consenting to a number of different things because they were not quite sure what I needed…a lysis, thrombectomy, IVC filer removal, and other things. This was still during the pandemic when I couldn’t have anyone with me. As I am getting the consent process completed, I was growing more and more anxious, and unsure about everything. I also had many questions that were going to be unanswered simply because there wasn’t time to get answers, as I needed the procedure now. The ER nurse was wheeling me up to the CVC 5 PACU and my heart was getting more and more anxious. They wheeled me into Bay 5, and as I looked up whom did I see? Miss Jackie Fortino! It was in that instant that I knew I was going to be ok because Jackie was there! What are the chances of me being reacquainted 20 years after my first blood clot? Being so unsure and scared, alone, and just so anxious…and to see this terrific RN who cared for me so graciously in the past.
As I type this letter, I have tears running down my face thinking of how much fate has played a role in my life, starting in 2000, and now again in 2021. Jackie said to me “what are you doing here?” Like she didn’t already know!? I told her what I knew, and how scared and anxious I was. Jackie told me, “you have to get that filter removed.” Prior to this, I was thinking of not consenting to the removal, but Jackie told me how wonderful the Interventional Radiologist was, and how she was pretty sure that another doctor would also be there. She also told me how they are world-renowned, about how they do this procedure all of the time, and how it was going to help me.
Jackie is such a kind and compassionate person. She completely meets the hospital’s mission of providing exceptional care and always putting patients and families first! Her clinical skills are top-notch, and her bedside manner is superior. I have vivid memories of Jackie motivating me…a very sick me…back in 2000. And now 21 years later, here she is being my cheerleader again. I can only hope that the CV Leadership knows how great a nurse they employ and how she does make a difference daily in the care that she gives.
To Jackie, thank you! I cannot explain the relief and comfort that you provided to me this past Tuesday. The surgery went okay, I lost too much blood and had to have a second procedure, but you were right, things are definitely going in the right direction. THANK YOU AGAIN JACKIE for all that you do in delivering exceptional patient care!