Matt started his nursing career at Mount Sinai in October 2016 after working for 10 years as a paramedic/EMT. He loved Mount Sinai and his profession, peers, and patients. He was always wanting to learn more and always helpful in teaching others as well. He was nominated for the DAISY Award and touched so many in his short time. Matt passed away in his sleep at the age of 32 this past December. Our untimely loss of Matt has been felt deeply by not only those on his unit but Sinai employees throughout Nursing and other departments including Respiratory and Security. Below are nominations that we received from his peers to honor Matt with the DAISY Award:
I've been working at Sinai's respiratory department for over 5 years. Mathew O'Brien and I continually crossed paths in the hospital, and he always put a smile on my face. Not only was he an amazing nurse, but he had a golden heart with a caring personality. No matter how difficult or stressful some days were, Mathew always had great interactions with patients, families, and coworkers. The news of his passing devastated me, as it was a tremendous loss to his family and the hospital. Matthew's impact on everyone around him should not go unnoticed.
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Matt O'Brien was an extremely dedicated nurse with so much potential; he had a long career ahead of him before his untimely death. Words that I would use to describe him are smart, dedicated, enthusiastic, and dependable. He was my go-to person if I needed a nurse...anywhere. He would work all over, he didn't care. His bubbly personality shined wherever he went. Even when he had a bad shift, he still would leave and come back with the same amount of enthusiasm. He never complained. Work, to him, was fun. Not only was he a great nurse, but he was also just a great person. I was told by his dad at his funeral that he was the caregiver of his parents who are in their 80s. Also, he has a mentally challenged brother and he was the caregiver to him as well. Even though he was a colleague, he was a friend, always making sure I had lift help or needed anything when we worked together. Matt was just so sweet, lovely and caring, he is truly missed.
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Mr. O'Brien was ever so eager to lend a helping hand to nurses and patients. Matt always kept an upbeat attitude and was passionate about the care he provided for his patients. Matt's spirit and legacy will live on and without any reservation, I recommend that his family receive this Award in his honor.
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Matt came to our unit just a short time ago and with all the changes going on in our department, he was like a breath of fresh air. Our unit needed his sunny disposition! He always had a smile on his face that could light up the unit. He was hardworking, friendly, and someone you could always count on to help. Matt could be coming off a 5 day stretch but would still stay over to help you without you even asking him to. Matt was always the first person you thought of to work if a need was available because he couldn't say no, he was a dedicated employee who truly loved nursing.
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Matt and I got along great from the very beginning. I could tell that he wanted to do only the best for his patients and help them get as healthy as possible. He always wanted to learn more about everything, so he could do just that. Matt was such a fabulous team player, and would literally drop whatever he was doing to help someone. One night he had 3 separate nurses waiting for IV starts because Matt was a master at inserting IVs. I still find it hard to believe he is gone. I will so miss the enthusiasm he brought with him each and every shift.
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Matt was one of my favorite nurses to give or receive report to and from. His presence alone would make the beginning of my shift a little less stressful, and the end of it a lot more fun. It was as if seeing his joyful face was contagious. I couldn't help myself but to smile back and let go of the day's frustrations. Compassionate, enthusiastic, honest, and genuine - Matt with his positive attitude reminded me each time, no matter how overworked and tired I felt, that nursing is a wonderful profession through which one receives just as much as one gives. Matt was excited about nursing and always looked for new opportunities to learn and advance. He listened attentively and worked hardest to do the best he could; a true team player and a wonderful colleague that was and forever remains my DAISY.
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It was hard to find the words to write this.
Matt O'Brien and I met for the first time when he transferred a patient from the ED to the ICU, I wanted to know him because I was a new grad and he provided me with a detailed report and left nothing to assumption. We continued to run into each other in the cafeteria after night shifts, we would often exchange notes about patients and reveal what new lessons we learned from our shift. We would trade notes and countless texts about patient situations, sometimes we would laugh, sometimes we would empathize but mostly we supported each other. Because sometimes our job is hard and heartbreaking. When I needed encouragement, he reminded why nurses are so incredible and why being a Sinai nurse was exceptional and a privilege. I would often call him when I couldn't get IV access, many people would, he would always make time for his fellow nurses even if it meant being behind in his own work because he knew the importance of putting patients first and doing everything he could to provide the best care.
Matt loved being a nurse and often undervalued his knowledge and skill, even when people around him would complement him. He wanted to be an ICU nurse, not just anywhere but at Sinai, because he felt this was the best place he could learn. After working countless overtime shifts, he would often go home and review what he learned because he wanted to be the best. He worked tirelessly for his patients, a true advocate in every sense, always showing empathy and patience in even the most difficult situations. On his very last shift at Sinai in SICU he worked on a John Doe all night, exercising true compassion as he always did with his family when it was revealed he was 14 years old.
Matt loved having students because he believed he was so lucky to have the people in his life as teachers and mentors. He truly admired and looked up to all senior nurses, not just in the ICU but on every floor. He came to work with the best attitude every day and gave 200% every shift. He never once complained about the work. I admired him and valued his friendship and work ethic. I'm a better nurse for knowing him and having worked alongside him. I write this with a heavy heart because he left us too early. Sinai will not be the same without him. I will not be the same nurse without him working. If every Sinai employee knew the essence of what he was as a nurse and more importantly as a person, they too would be forever changed as I am and all those who worked with him.
Below are a few texts that I value and treasure. When I am frustrated I will always think to myself, "what would Matt say?" To lose someone like Matt is heartbreaking. Words will never do justice for the type of person he was and the incredible nurse he was: Simply the best.
"I wanna teach/manage/maybe NP...wanna stay current"
"I made some bad judgment calls, but it all worked out because Nancy was there...but it humbled me....stuff like this motivates me"
"I was definitely spoiled in my orientation with Nancy and Willy."
"I love that I can work with such great, experienced nurses."
"We have to be nerds by default to improve in our field"
"We are all strong and we all help each other"