Linda evidences in her everyday care, that "above and beyond", lives a mission of caring and compassion. I was doing interdisciplinary rounds and it was related to me that Linda had bought crayons and a coloring book for a patient that was challenged. I commented on how nice this was and the response was an immediate, "Oh that's just Linda, she does stuff like that all the time". When asked for examples I was regaled with many stories just within the last few weeks of the kinds of things she does for her patient, their families and her team.
She has on several occasions taken clothes home to wash for patients and families who, for whatever reason, could not do so.
She has brought special treats or home cooked food for patient families or the patient who lacked the ability or had a specific desire.
She has brought gently used clothes for the homeless patients who had needs; she meets the needs of her peers as well, specifically a newer nurse struggling with discussing the terminal prognosis of a young cancer patient with the patient and her family. Linda asked "do you want me to go with you"? She went with the nurse, helped her and the family understand the prognosis, she even prayed with them. The nurse shared with me "I have never done anything like that and had no idea how to approach or deal with it; I don't think I could have done it without her".
Quotes from her peers:
She lives so far away, and yet she has come back on her day off to bring something up for a patient.
She has a knack for seeing a need and just meets it.
That's just Linda, that's who she is, that's just the way she is
Any one of these and similar instances warrant recognition. What better example of someone who "Is Good Shepherd", lives our mission on a daily basis? What an amazing person, and who more deserving of a DAISY Award.