A patient came in who was involved in a car crash. She had been on her way to the hairdresser for her wedding that was to take place later that evening. Unfortunately, she had to be admitted for evaluation and possible surgery. Understandably, the patient and her fiancé were devastated at the prospect of not only being injured but also not being able to get married as planned.
Luckily, for her, Kelly was her nurse in the Trauma Center that day. Without the patient's knowledge, Kelly worked behind the scene by collaborating with the rest of the staff and the patient's surgeon to find out whether the patient's condition would allow her to get married in the Trauma Center. Once Kelly got the approval from the patient's surgeon, she approached the patient and her fiancé and asked if they would still like to get married that day.
Kelly, along with the rest of the Trauma Center staff, then went into "Wedding Planner" mode, and in a matter of hours arranged a wedding for the patient in our hospital. The family brought her wedding dress and Kelly was able to put her dress on over the brace that was one of the requirements. Other staff made decorations and one of the dispatchers was able to get a cake. The wedding ceremony was held in the hospital Chapel; with family and friends celebrating with cake and pretend champagne (ginger ale). With the help of the staff on 8S, the patient's room was decorated and many staff lined the hallway applauding and congratulating the newlyweds.