Jonathan Samaniego, BSN, RN

I am blessed to be sitting here at home this morning able to write this nomination after the recent serious health crises I have suffered.  While all of the nursing care I received while in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit was exemplary, I want to recognize one nurse in particular.

One evening, Jonathan Samaniego entered my room in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit as my nurse for the night shift.  Right away, I was very impressed by this personable young man.  He exhibited all the qualities one would want in a nurse — kind and compassionate. caring, skilled in his professional duties of taking care of my medical needs.  Little did I know during those first few hours that I would owe my life to him by the end of his shift.

I had been admitted to the CICU  after experiencing hemorrhagic shock from internal bleeding in the Emergency Room the day before.  I was also experiencing atrial flutter.  Through the efforts of the ER staff, whose names I do not know but to whom I am eternally grateful, I was stabilized and transferred to CICU.

My stay in CICU was going well.  On the night Jonathan took over as my nurse, I felt comfortable and well cared for.  The rest of this narrative of what happened in the early morning hours two days later is based on information I received from discussions with my wife and some of those involved, as I do not actually remember the event.

Around 4:30am that morning, Jonathan and an aide were taking care of my personal needs.  One of the monitors began sounding an alarm.  Jonathan looked around at the monitor, realized the seriousness of the situation, and immediately rushed to summon assistance from other members of the nighttime team, as my heart rate had risen to 245 and my blood pressure had dropped to 30/10 (I believe I am giving you the right numbers).

Jake Walker, Ashunta Ross, and Hilda Martinovic joined Jonathan around my bed.  Through their efforts, my heart rate came down, and my blood pressure recovered to an acceptable level.  By the time another cardiac team arrived, the crisis was over, and I was stabilized.  One of the members of this team went over what had been done and deemed everything had been done as it should have been.

I will always believe that  Jonathan Samaniego saved my life by immediately recognizing the seriousness of the situation and summoning assistance. I also credit the entire team who came to assist him for their swift actions.  Through this whole ordeal, Jonathan and his team remained composed, doing what was necessary, and assuring my wife, who had stepped out of the room when the team arrived, that I would be okay.

I am 78 1/2 years old.  My dream is to be blessed to have another 1 1/2 years of a good life.  By that time, I will have reached 80 years old, and my wife and I will have celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.  We plan to revisit the church where we were married. Jonathan's actions, the decisions he made, and his quick responses will have played a part in my achieving that goal. 

Jonathan continued to provide the very highest standard of nursing care while he was my nurse.  Even after his time with me was completed, he returned to check on my progress.  My wife and I assured him we considered him a hero and we would never forget him,

Jonathan and the team's actions reflect a standard of care that the CICU and Kennestone Hospital should be proud of!  

Again, thank you for saving my life!