Glenn Gibson is both a new hire and new nurse here at UVA in the NNICU. Last week, while still very fresh off orientation, we had a heartbreaking and emotionally crippling situation with a young mom who was pregnant with her 2nd child, who suffered a massive brain bleed and was declared brain dead. Her family made an impossible choice to recognize that their daughter had died and chose to make her a donor as a final wish.
Glenn was faced with not only the difficult task of preparing the patient for donation, but also rose to a task of dealing with the emotions of caring for a young and expectant mother during her final hours. There were times she felt overwhelmed, there were times she had tears in her eyes, but she rose to the occasion as both a nurse and as a human being who exemplified extreme compassion and heartfelt care for this woman and for her family. Glenn stayed past her shift to make sure this woman's final comforts were met, and because of her extraordinary care, the patient was able to donate all organs with the exception of her heart.
One of the greatest accomplishments in such a horrific situation is hearing a phone call to an outside hospital that a much-awaited vital organ will be arriving for a patient who is about to witness the greatest sacrifice of all. Glenn might be a new nurse, but she never once led anyone to believe she was anything except confident, competent, and the best nurse for this particular patient and very sorrowful situation. She demonstrated expertise, professionalism, and consistent and compassionate quality care that UVA recognizes as the pillars to this medical facility.