Earlier this year there was a young mother who was killed in an automobile accident in a rural area in Yolo County. Her children survived the accident, but the car was totaled. There was a go-fund-me account set up to help the family buy another car since they had no other means of transportation. Kellie learned of their need and decided to gift her Suburban to the family so that they had transportation.
Kellie instantly made me think of the countless times I have witnessed the human kindness and compassion of this nurse. She always makes her patients and their families her priorities. She laughs with them, cries with them and ensures they receive the best care they could ever receive. But it goes beyond the physical care; Kellie made the patient's last day on earth a very special one. She took up a collection from the ICU staff and ordered the patient's favorite meal for them to enjoy before he passed away. She has taken up funds to provide needs for patients, brought things in for them that they needed, and a very strong patient advocate to just name a few. When being thanked for doing such things, she doesn't want recognition and insists it is what a nurse does. She is truly an example of a nurse having been called to her profession.
Kellie has shown dedication to caring for the whole patient and has gone above and beyond to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of her both her patient and their loved ones. She is a compassionate nurse who is the first to hold a hand, give a hug or simply be with a patient or loved one during a difficult or stressful time. She uses her humor to brighten up a patient's day and she looks for opportunities to bring joy to their stay, from organizing a special meal to singing a song or dancing with a patient. She is a tenacious advocate for her patients and is relentless in ensuring their needs are met.
Kellie has been graciously giving up some of her off time to take staff pictures for different units so that they can be displayed outside the units. Many, many families and patients stop to admire her work. Our patients and their families enjoy seeing our staff in "regular street clothes" and I think it helps them to bond closer with the staff. She always makes the staff feel comfortable when she is taking the pictures which is evident in how she is able to capture the personality of the employee.
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My mom was brought to the ER by my family while I was on vacation in Mexico. Dr. T. and ED nurse contacted me to inform me of her sepsis and A-Fib with RVR diagnosis. The doctor didn't feel I needed to come home at that time but my instinct was to take the next flight home.
The ED was finally able to get her heart rate under control and transferred her to ICU. If this had not happened, they were going to send her to Sacramento where I would not have had the close contacts that were keeping me informed. I received a text from Kellie asking me if this was a family member. She then proceeded to trade a patient away to be my mom's primary nurse. She assessed her and sent me a picture of her to see for myself that she was doing ok. Kellie filled me in on all the details of her condition and kept me up to date on any and all changes.
Kellie was a lifesaver to my family and me during this trying time. She confirmed Dr. T's judgment that I didn't need to come home immediately.
This is my story, but I have worked with Kellie for many years and she has the biggest, caring, loving heart. She goes above and beyond to help patients and their families both in and out of the hospital setting. Kellie is definitely one of the biggest assets to WHC and I am privileged to call her my friend and co-worker. Thank you Kellie.