Julianna Salza, BSN, RN

If ever a nurse exemplifies what this award is about, it is Julianna Salza. When I recently and reluctantly came through the Emergency Room at Lawrence Hospital, I agreed to be diagnosed but not admitted. I was frightened and just wanted medicine to go home and heal. When I learned, however, that I could be contagious, I knew I should not go home to my daughter’s house where three adored granddaughters gathered around me daily. I needed time in the hospital to heal, and so I was admitted to the fifth-floor unit.

The magic began the minute I stepped onto the unit and saw the many staff smiles and heard the joyful conversations and laughing in the hallway. There was an immediate warmth. I was greeted by several staff before I even made it to the room. Uniformed nurses and aides waved and said “Welcome to Unit Five” as we passed each other in the halls. I was sick, but that never stopped me from socializing, and I have to admit, I loved the attention. This is meant to set the scene, but the story is about Julianna.

I don’t know how old Julianna is, but she was young enough to be adored and old enough to be wise. I loved her immediately. She could have been my daughter. She was my “second day nurse”. I had had an excellent nurse the first day of my stay, and I doubted Julianna could match that experience. How wrong I was. She greeted me with a huge smile and introduced herself. Her boundless energy and positive presentation caught me off guard. I thought health care was serious business, but here was Julianna (and others) spreading joy before me as I walked to my bed. There was nothing stodgy or stiff about this kind of health care. Julianna asked me what she could do to make me more comfortable. She reviewed procedures for using the TV, ordering meals, etc. She inquired about my family and seemed interested in me as a person. She encouraged me to ask questions. She brought me extra blankets because she observed that I was cold.

It wasn’t only her personal skills that were exemplary. Juliana’s professional skills were extraordinary. She showed up when I needed her. She explained each medication as she administered it. She encouraged me to read labels on medications that were still in wrappers so I would know what I was taking and could ask questions if I chose. She introduced each new medical person on my team- the physical therapist, the nurse’s aide, the social worker, the meal delivery team, the attending physician. Her efforts made me feel cared for, but more importantly, her efforts made me feel safe. I trusted the environment I was in. I trusted the people around me. I credit Julianna with that.

I witnessed Julianna’s interactions with the people in her unit. She seemed genuinely liked by her coworkers. I think one of the reasons the unit worked so well, from a patient’s perspective anyway, was that folks there have learned to treat each other well. That flows down to the patients. Julianna is a role model for that concept of health care and unit cohesion. It was a joy to be part of.

I’m home now and feeling better, but, frankly, I miss being on Unit Five. I laughed there. I made friends there. I let go of my pain there. I healed there. When I was discharged, Julianna offered to accompany me to my transport care. The staff hugged me on the way out. I mean, does any of this sound real? It was real, and I am better for it.

Thank you to the heroes on the fifth-floor unit- to the aides, the nurses, the doctors, the administrative personnel, the support staff. They were all exemplary. I came home a new woman. Thank you, finally, to Julianna Salza. My last words to her were, jokingly, “I love you, I’ll be back tonight for dinner”