Libbie Lyster, RN

I am a late-deafened adult with bilateral cochlear implants. Patient advocacy is a frequent topic in the hearing loss community. I am experiencing this personally for the first time. Libbie has gone far beyond expectations in adapting to my communication needs especially during COVID. She recognized my need to be identified prior to staff entering my rooms, she printed and placed signs on the door and hallway wall. She called ahead o alert staff before my arrival to many, many diagnostic exams. Libbie was also receptive and learned some basic ASL to match my non-fluent but useful ASL. Most importantly Libbie recognized very quickly that there is a missing piece in the patient care puzzle for hard of hearing deaf and cochlear implant recipients, who do not communicate using American Sign Language and assumed the role of advocating for her patient. She is a professional, highly engaged in her craft. She is sympathetic, empathetic, and tenacious.