Over the past year, Lisa Taliaferro has worked diligently to help a patient within our facility find housing and develop a safe discharge plan. This is work that all case managers execute with compassion and tenacity, yet Lisa has gone above and beyond to demonstrate her compassion for one particular patient and family. We often talk about inclusion and equity within the walls of Seattle Children's Hospital. Lisa embodies inclusion, equity, compassion, and excellence in her daily life and everyday work.
Lisa took time out of her day to hear the concerns of a grandmother who did not know how to navigate the healthcare system or how to develop trust with the healthcare providers who cared for her grandson. Lisa sat with this grandmother, listened to her concerns and truly developed a trusting relationship with her. Lisa was able to listen and understand what other providers struggled to understand. When families are under stress, we often label them as difficult. Lisa puts every story into perspective and helps the caregivers around her understand the stressors that affect each family.
She helped me evolve from labeling a family as difficult to understanding how the hospital admission of one patient can directly disrupt family resources and their ability to cope with everyday challenges. She understands that a family that does not have transportation, housing or stable employment will not be able to visit their child in a care facility that is a long way from their home base. Lisa has used every tool in her toolbox to contact almost 100 care facilities to find one that will work for this patient and still be close enough for his family to visit him. She even went to the facility, took pictures of the bedroom and staff, and shared them with an anxious patient so that he would feel calmer about his transition from Seattle Children's to an adult family home.
She is not coming to work simply to do her job well each day. She is coming to work, providing outstanding care to each patient and family in her caseload, and teaching the staff around her about compassion and understanding of differences. She is an active change agent and is creating a more inclusive culture within the walls of this hospital. I cannot thank Lisa enough for her dedication to doing what is right and her compassion for all patients, families, and staff. Thank you, Lisa. You have made a lasting impression on my practice. I am a better nurse and person because of your mentoring and role modeling.