Justin Gavaghan
April 2021
Justin
Gavaghan
,
RN
Medical Surgical
Lancaster General Health
No matter how many tasks, work, and documentation he had, he made it a priority for his patient to feel happiness and joy. He listened and gave time and compassion. He gave something that all of us hope and dream of as a bedside nurse, he gave the family a memory that will last a lifetime.
DAISY Extraordinary Nurse: Justin Gavaghan.
I am a fellow RN on another floor here at LGH and when I heard about Justin's story I could not help but nominate him. Justin works on 7F where he has plenty of hats to wear from charge, preceptor, falls champion, and bedside nurse on the COVID vapotherm floor. However, one hat that he did not expect to wear was a wedding coordinator, but he did it with ease for his patient. Justin was taking care of a woman mid 70s whose husband just fought for his own life with COVID on 7F and was well enough to be discharged to rehab. While this family was going through the unknown with COVID, Justin took the time to learn about them and found out that the son of his patient was getting married and we all know that weddings are a time of celebration and unity of a family. The son clearly wanted his mom's presence at his wedding. Unfortunately, Justin's patient did not have much time left for she had Stage 4 lung cancer on top of COVID. Justin came up with the brilliant idea of having the wedding here at LGH so his patient could have one last unforgettable memory. Justin took the time to call the Chaplain services and had our Chaplain perform the ceremony. Justin also coordinated with his manager and providers to get the "All Clear" to have the son and his fiancé present at the bedside to say "I Do" and made sure that the patient was comfortable enough during the ceremony. Justin also called the oncology floor to see if they had any decorations for the patient's room, where they sent down not only decorations but also flowers and a mock dress for the patient to wear. The wedding was a success. Justin did all these amazing things for his patient. He was present for not only his patient but also their family. No matter how many tasks, work, and documentation he had, he made it a priority for his patient to feel happiness and joy. He listened and gave time and compassion. He gave something that all of us hope and dream of as a bedside nurse, he gave the family a memory that will last a lifetime. I am honored to work at this hospital knowing that we have nurses like Justin and hope all of us in this profession pay attention and learn from him.
I am a fellow RN on another floor here at LGH and when I heard about Justin's story I could not help but nominate him. Justin works on 7F where he has plenty of hats to wear from charge, preceptor, falls champion, and bedside nurse on the COVID vapotherm floor. However, one hat that he did not expect to wear was a wedding coordinator, but he did it with ease for his patient. Justin was taking care of a woman mid 70s whose husband just fought for his own life with COVID on 7F and was well enough to be discharged to rehab. While this family was going through the unknown with COVID, Justin took the time to learn about them and found out that the son of his patient was getting married and we all know that weddings are a time of celebration and unity of a family. The son clearly wanted his mom's presence at his wedding. Unfortunately, Justin's patient did not have much time left for she had Stage 4 lung cancer on top of COVID. Justin came up with the brilliant idea of having the wedding here at LGH so his patient could have one last unforgettable memory. Justin took the time to call the Chaplain services and had our Chaplain perform the ceremony. Justin also coordinated with his manager and providers to get the "All Clear" to have the son and his fiancé present at the bedside to say "I Do" and made sure that the patient was comfortable enough during the ceremony. Justin also called the oncology floor to see if they had any decorations for the patient's room, where they sent down not only decorations but also flowers and a mock dress for the patient to wear. The wedding was a success. Justin did all these amazing things for his patient. He was present for not only his patient but also their family. No matter how many tasks, work, and documentation he had, he made it a priority for his patient to feel happiness and joy. He listened and gave time and compassion. He gave something that all of us hope and dream of as a bedside nurse, he gave the family a memory that will last a lifetime. I am honored to work at this hospital knowing that we have nurses like Justin and hope all of us in this profession pay attention and learn from him.