On a Friday in the fall, the caregivers in the MRICU had the opportunity to care for a gentleman whose life ended too abruptly. This gentleman spent most of his adult life serving us and protecting our freedom during the wars of the Middle East as a military sniper. Being one of only two individuals from his unit to make it back alive, he carried some very serious scars. He was the recipient of two Purple Hearts for the wounds he was afflicted with. In one more act of service, this man who had already given so much, gave one final time. He had clear wishes to be an organ donor, a wish his family honored. He continued his life of self-sacrifice and service to others by donating his heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
To honor this man who had given so much for each of us, a flag was draped over his body in his room. Caregivers from the MRICU, CICU, and CVICU came together and lined the hallway from his room to the elevator. He was escorted down the hallway and a moment of silence occurred. A brief flag folding ceremony by Margo (WDN) and Chuck, RN (MRICU) followed. Ultimately, the flag was presented to his sister, who was amongst the many members of his family who were present to witness his act of service.
Matt (MRICU nursing supervisor) wrote "I believe that I speak for each caregiver present that morning when I say, it was far and away one of the proudest and most emotional moments of my career."
From the military community this shows the highest respect for what this patient has given to us. I am very proud to work at St. Luke's among these honorable caregivers.
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In October, a male patient in the MRICU met clinical triggers for donation, and a timely referral was made to the WDN by Crystal Brandt, RN in the MRICU. The WDN had then begun to follow this courageous gentleman on our unit, who had spent most of his adult life serving our country and protecting our freedom during the wars of the Middle East as a military sniper. He was one of only two individuals from his unit to make it back alive, and who also came back with some very serious scars. He was also the recipient of two Purple Hearts. This gentleman had signed up to be an organ donor, and his family was supportive of that choice. In collaboration with the WDN, Matthew Resop, night shift nursing supervisor of the MRICU, had made the decision to obtain a United States flag and drape the soldier's body with said flag.
Caregivers from MRICU, CICU and CVICU lined the hallway toward the elevator, as his nurse that evening, Bethany Schwefel, RN in MRICU, helped wheel him down the hallway on his way to the OR to donate his lifesaving gifts. A moment of silence was held, and a brief flag folding ceremony by Margo from the WDN and Charles, RN in the MRICU, and the flag was ultimately presented to the patient's sister, who was amongst the many members of his family who were present. MRICU staff present that evening say it was far and away one of the proudest and most emotional moments of their career. Other MRICU staff present that evening were Lauren, Alaina, Sadie, Laura, Alex, Carl, Rebecca, and Anjna. From the day of his arrival, to the day he presented his wonderful gifts of life, each and every caregiver that took care of this gentleman took part in making this wonderful ceremony possible for this courageous man.