Mamie Boley, BSN, RN

We recently cared for a very young adult patient in the ICU with a complex, lifelong medical history, including special needs and a prior cardiac transplant. Her mother was deeply involved in her care, very present, and understandably protective and engaged. From the beginning, both the ICU team and hospitalists understood Mom's intent: to be informed, included, and to advocate for her daughter. Mamie cared for this patient on multiple occasions throughout her stay and demonstrated exceptional compassion, patience, and advocacy, tailoring her approach to meet the patient where she was. Mamie made her laugh with humor as a powerful motivator; she provided gently firm encouragement, which is not always easy, and she built meaningful connections to support adherence to treatments and care plans. The patient responded deeply to Mamie’s presence, often asking her not to leave at the end of her shift, much like she struggled when her mother left in the evenings. She openly trusted Mamie because she made her feel safe and valued. Mamie made her feel like anything was possible, and that she could do whatever she set her mind to. Mamie always found the words and emotional support for the patient when she asked, always... and that left her feeling comforted.

Time for discharge came, and the patient’s mother was understandably fearful about the transition to a facility in the Chicagoland area. She knew her daughter's care would be complex, and she trusted DMCCH. She was unsure and scared about many things, including the distance and her inability to visit frequently. Despite this, Mom went to the facility to prepare her daughter’s room ahead of arrival, decorating it to make it feel as home-like and comforting as possible. Mamie knew the mother and the patient were struggling with the upcoming transfer, and aside from offering encouraging words, she went above and beyond by organizing a card for staff to sign, offering words of encouragement, and providing a stuffed animal and blanket to help ease the patient’s fear and anxiety during the long ambulance transport.

Tragically, the patient passed away. A week later, her mother came to DMCCH to speak with multiple Mission Partners. While she shared concerns regarding her daughter’s experience at the receiving facility, what stood out most was her need to see Mamie. She said it was important to be the one to tell Mamie of her daughter’s passing, sharing how deeply her daughter loved Mamie and how impactful Mamie’s care had been. She said she needed to thank Mamie for everything she did for her daughter during her last days, and she needed Mamie to know how much she meant to her daughter and to her. She was very tearful and said she wanted to stop by earlier, but she was afraid. She didn't know why, but she was afraid, and she said her heart was telling her she needed to speak with Mamie. Their interaction was incredibly moving. The patient’s mother immediately embraced Mamie, expressed profound gratitude for the care provided, and shared how meaningful Mamie’s presence had been for her daughter. Mamie’s actions truly exemplified the very heart of nursing, patient advocacy, and our mission at DMCCH