In the PICU at Primary’s, we cared for a teenage girl who was a victim of a devastating car accident. She was not going to recover, and the family was coming to the difficult decision to make her an organ donor candidate. Because of unique situations of her case, it was not a sure thing if she’d be able to donate and we wouldn’t know until trying. The family honorably placed a lot of weight on her legacy through donation, and it became clear that it was going to change their lives and their perception of their daughter’s legacy to donate. However, her mom, understandably so, was distraught and had not been able to cope to the extent of having conversations with care team members. After several days of not being able to have communication with her mom, Jamie came on for 3 straight nights. Jamie, as always, was empathetic, understanding, and, importantly, direct with her mom, making it clear to her what her responsibilities were for her daughter and what she would regret if she wasn’t with her and making decisions for her. I’ve seen Jamie do this for years, but never in a situation where it was so difficult for anyone else on the team to communicate with the family. Her mom began only coming when Jamie was on and confided with Jamie and ultimately made decisions she otherwise couldn’t have made - to be at the bedside, to talk and sing with her daughter, and to have her donate her organs - decisions I do not think she would’ve come to without Jamie. Finally, when the time for donation came, it was 4pm on a day following 3 straight nights for Jamie when she was off and approaching her own medical procedure, yet she still came in, post-call, off service, and sat with her mom as her daughter passed and she became an organ donor. 

Without Jamie’s commitment, experience, and caring, I do not believe this girl’s mom would’ve got to the point of being with her daughter when she passed. I believe the family’s grieving would have been immensely more challenging without the moments she shared with her daughter, which I don’t think would’ve happened with Jamie as her nurse. And it goes without saying countless lives were impacted by her donation, which is also thanks to Jamie - not by encouraging donation by any means, but by generating a trusting and authentic relationship with her mom that allowed her and her family to reach the decision that was best for them. Following her passing, dozens of family members communicated how grateful they were for her being able to donate and the team’s care and patience. They were expectantly grateful to Jamie, but I’m not sure they even appreciated just how impactful her being at the bedside was for their family.

Note: This is Jamie's 2nd DAISY Award!