Jennifer "Red" Patterson is known for her outstanding care and personal connection with her patients. Before the hospital began pushing the "Commit to Sit" initiative, Red embodied this idea in its entirety every day of her 15-year nursing career. Her selflessness, compassion, and genuineness are topped by no one.
Jennifer has been recognized as "a compassionate caregiver who calms difficult situations and models selfless service in her work with critically ill patients" when she was selected as the September 2016 Employee of the Month. Jennifer treats every patient as if they were her family member. Accordingly, Jennifer ranks among the top nurses that her co-workers would want taking care of their family members or even themselves if they were ever to find themselves a patient in the MICU.
Jennifer's attention to the patient and family experience drives a positive perception of our unit and hospital values. She consistently energizes positive attitudes and infuses compassion into the working environment. She continues to foster a healthy work environment by building up the spirit of her coworkers and ensuring inclusiveness of every role. If you are a patient in the MICU, Jennifer is an angel in human form.
Every patient, visitor or employee that is blessed to interact with Red can see that she is extraordinary. With this in mind, I was compelled to gather enough examples to ensure any selection committee would be able to fully grasp her extraordinariness. I began reaching out to her coworkers and the examples began flooding in. The following are what her multidisciplinary coworkers, patients, and patient family member have to say about Jennifer Patterson:
Jennifer delivers consistent high-quality nursing care, going out of her way to help other staff when called upon.
***
Jennifer is easily one of the most remarkable souls that I have ever had the honor of working with. She embodies all the quintessential qualities that make a human being exceptional.
***
A patient's wife described Jennifer as her "strength during a difficult time". Jennifer is truly one of a kind and I credit her with saving a patient's life by motivating him to get up and work with physical therapy when he was emotionally and physically exhausted.
***
Red always treats families like her own, she spends extra time with each of them to make sure they feel supported.
***
Jennifer Patterson is among the most deserving of this recognition. Her attention to her patients is bar none.
***
Jennifer is always sweet! She acknowledges the staff around her and goes out of her way to encourage them.
***
Jennifer is always a ray of light in the ICU for not only the patients but for all members of the interdisciplinary medical team. Her dedication to going above and beyond for her patients and caregivers is evident immediately upon any interaction. She goes out of her way to help other coworkers.
***
When my mom was critically ill in the ICU, Jennifer was strongly supportive in her transition to hospice care. Jennifer and her ability to ease my mom's fears, answer her questions and remain attentive and supportive allowed my mom to have quality, peace, and comfort in her final days.
***
Red embodies every attribute that I could ever wish to be as a nurse. She is a walking, breathing model of the "perfect nurse" that I learned about in nursing school. Not only is she highly intelligent and great sounding board for questions, issues but her level of compassion is one that I could only dream of achieving.