Mark
Guyer
April 2010
Mark
Guyer
,
RN
ICU
ChristianaCare Union Hospital
Elkton
,
MD
United States
One does not often associate the word “daisy” with the male gender, but when I think of The Daisy Award, Mark Guyer immediately comes to mind. Mark is an ICU nurse known by his peers as someone who is always ready to lend a hand, is quick to laugh and equally quick to devote his full attention to a clinical concern. He is also someone who comes to work every day prepared for whatever challenge the ICU throws his way.
On one particular day, he was a nurse who showed commitment, compassion, and connected to a family member in such a way as to possibly change the course of a young boy’s life.
The boy was the youngest son of a 43year-old woman, Julie, who had never really been sick but came to ICU after being resuscitated by her family and EMS at home. Her condition was grave from the start; she was unresponsive and on life support including mechanical ventilation and vasoactive medications to maintain her blood pressure. She was part of a big family and had just as many friends. She was treasured by many.
Mark and the ICU nurses spent time updating the family, explaining various tests, reviewing clinical findings, and explaining that their efforts were focused on maintaining her life until they were told otherwise. Everyone was hopeful but as days passed it became clear that things would not change for the better.
The family made the decision to withdraw life support but the son was still having a hard time understanding what had happened to his mother in such a short period of time. It was at this point that Mark spent time with the son, explaining what had happened and why this decision was the right one since she would never again be the mother that he had once known.
Weeks later there was a voicemail at the hospital. It was from a counselor at Living Legacy who had continued to work with the family. The message was loud and clear; “the family raved about the care Julie received from the staff but there was one nurse that the son continues to speak about”…Mark Guyer.
Mark Guyer is the type of nurse that we, as fellow nurses, would want caring for our own families. He is always on his game, always gives 100%, and is clinically savvy, compassionate and mindful.
Mark Guyer has, quite possibly, changed the course of this boy’s life by setting such a clear example of how excellent a nurse can be. Based on his actions, it is my strong recommendation that Mark Guyer receive The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Axell, RN, MSN, MBA
On one particular day, he was a nurse who showed commitment, compassion, and connected to a family member in such a way as to possibly change the course of a young boy’s life.
The boy was the youngest son of a 43year-old woman, Julie, who had never really been sick but came to ICU after being resuscitated by her family and EMS at home. Her condition was grave from the start; she was unresponsive and on life support including mechanical ventilation and vasoactive medications to maintain her blood pressure. She was part of a big family and had just as many friends. She was treasured by many.
Mark and the ICU nurses spent time updating the family, explaining various tests, reviewing clinical findings, and explaining that their efforts were focused on maintaining her life until they were told otherwise. Everyone was hopeful but as days passed it became clear that things would not change for the better.
The family made the decision to withdraw life support but the son was still having a hard time understanding what had happened to his mother in such a short period of time. It was at this point that Mark spent time with the son, explaining what had happened and why this decision was the right one since she would never again be the mother that he had once known.
Weeks later there was a voicemail at the hospital. It was from a counselor at Living Legacy who had continued to work with the family. The message was loud and clear; “the family raved about the care Julie received from the staff but there was one nurse that the son continues to speak about”…Mark Guyer.
Mark Guyer is the type of nurse that we, as fellow nurses, would want caring for our own families. He is always on his game, always gives 100%, and is clinically savvy, compassionate and mindful.
Mark Guyer has, quite possibly, changed the course of this boy’s life by setting such a clear example of how excellent a nurse can be. Based on his actions, it is my strong recommendation that Mark Guyer receive The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Axell, RN, MSN, MBA