Joyce Navarro, RN

Surgery is never routine. Following elective neck surgery, it became necessary to return the patient emergently to the OR for evacuation of a hematoma that was compromising the patient’s airway. The OR schedule was at near capacity, already running seven rooms around 5 pm. Joyce volunteered to stay beyond her shift to care for this patient. Joyce is an experienced circulating RN, and she was able to work quickly with her team to prepare the room. Time was critical; the patient was in the OR within 18 minutes of being scheduled. This patient had the best possible outcome from the effort of the entire team and, in particular, Joyce Navarro. She is exemplary of how we care for our community like family.