Mark Wallen
September 2016
Mark
Wallen
,
BSN, RN
Heart and Vascular Center
University of Chicago Medicine
Chicago
,
IL
United States

 

 

 

An LVAD patient made the very difficult decision to withdraw care due to complications of his device. His family and medical team were all aware and present during planning to turn off the device. This patient shared with Mark his wishes to have this happen during the Cubs game and also his fears of being in pain. Mark did everything he could to communicate this with all the palliative and surgery teams to honor these wishes. Mark displayed such respect, compassion, and professionalism through this. He showed patient advocacy in every act that day and made a difficult decision one of peace, dignity, and comfort.