Kris Dahlberg
September 2025
Kris
Dahlberg
,
RN, CEN
Emergency Department
Mayo Clinic Health System - Northland - Barron
Barron
,
WI
United States
The selflessness that Kris showed this patient was something that needs to be noted.
Kris and I were working a weekend night shift together when an elderly patient walked in to be seen for pain related to a cancer diagnosis. When I was getting the patient situated in his exam room, I noticed his shoes had holes throughout the entire shoe, including the soles, which were worn through the rubber and were in poor shape.
The way the patient was speaking to me, I knew that he was unable to purchase himself new shoes as he was also unable to get to appointments with specialists, get a ride to/from the Emergency Department, and pay for living arrangements. I was feeling incredibly down about this patient's situation and thinking that this was someone's grandfather, and I wanted to be able to help him, but didn't know how.
I confided in this situation with Kris, who was the team lead that night, and asked him out of curiosity what size shoes he wore. Without a second thought, when Kris found out that he and the patient wore the same size shoe, he took his shoes off at the moment and gave them to me to give to the patient.
I was able to give them to the patient in a non-threatening and non-accusatory way by suggesting that we had these shoes in the department and inquired if he would like to try them on. Once these shoes got on the patient's feet, they fit like a glove. He walked to the restroom in them and continued to verbalize how great they felt on his feet, even walking into his room to check on these shoes and how they felt.
During the remainder of the patient's visit, it was also apparent that he was unable to get to Rochester to see a specialist whom he needed to see for treatment. After speaking with the provider, we were able to call Rochester and speak with a provider to tell the patient's story, and Rochester agreed to admit him to ensure that he would be able to get the services he needed.
The selflessness that Kris showed this patient was something that needs to be noted. He thought nothing of immediately taking his shoes off in the moment and being left in bare feet when he heard of this patient's situation. This is putting the needs of the patient first and taking care of the entire patient.
Kris always goes above and beyond for patients and this department, but this was truly an act that I wanted to recognize. This is what we stand for: the needs of the patient DO come first, and this is the kind of nurse I want caring for my loved ones and me. One who cares for the entire patient and not just the complaint.
The way the patient was speaking to me, I knew that he was unable to purchase himself new shoes as he was also unable to get to appointments with specialists, get a ride to/from the Emergency Department, and pay for living arrangements. I was feeling incredibly down about this patient's situation and thinking that this was someone's grandfather, and I wanted to be able to help him, but didn't know how.
I confided in this situation with Kris, who was the team lead that night, and asked him out of curiosity what size shoes he wore. Without a second thought, when Kris found out that he and the patient wore the same size shoe, he took his shoes off at the moment and gave them to me to give to the patient.
I was able to give them to the patient in a non-threatening and non-accusatory way by suggesting that we had these shoes in the department and inquired if he would like to try them on. Once these shoes got on the patient's feet, they fit like a glove. He walked to the restroom in them and continued to verbalize how great they felt on his feet, even walking into his room to check on these shoes and how they felt.
During the remainder of the patient's visit, it was also apparent that he was unable to get to Rochester to see a specialist whom he needed to see for treatment. After speaking with the provider, we were able to call Rochester and speak with a provider to tell the patient's story, and Rochester agreed to admit him to ensure that he would be able to get the services he needed.
The selflessness that Kris showed this patient was something that needs to be noted. He thought nothing of immediately taking his shoes off in the moment and being left in bare feet when he heard of this patient's situation. This is putting the needs of the patient first and taking care of the entire patient.
Kris always goes above and beyond for patients and this department, but this was truly an act that I wanted to recognize. This is what we stand for: the needs of the patient DO come first, and this is the kind of nurse I want caring for my loved ones and me. One who cares for the entire patient and not just the complaint.