Meghan Fitzpatrick
October 2018
Meghan
Fitzpatrick
,
BSN, RN
Cardiac Stepdown
Vanderbilt University Medical Center - Adult Hospital
Nashville
,
TN
United States

 

 

 

When my brother was gravely ill, Meghan was so comforting, compassionate, caring, she was almost part of the family. He was hospitalized twice, for a total of 60 days. Meghan would ask to be in his section when she was on duty. For a couple of weeks, he was in ICU, and she came to visit him before and after her shift, even though he was not on her floor. When she found out that he loved to camp, she brought him a gift of graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey bars so they could make S'Mores together when he was better. Unfortunately, he did not get better and died after he was discharged to a nursing home. Meghan came to his services, even though she was on her way out of town for a much-deserved vacation. She is an example of what nursing should be.
She impacted his stay so much that when he was transferred to another floor he would express his need to improve so he could get back to Meghan's floor. She would come to visit him (on the other unit) before or after her shift just to say hi. She even left him a handwritten note because he was unconscious that day and she wanted him to know she was there. When he passed away we felt it was important to call Meghan and let her know, as she became part of our family. Meghan was out of town at that time and decided to leave her vacation early to attend his funeral. I can't express the gratitude we have for her. She went above and beyond and truly showed us that she cared for him as much as his family. Meghan is a true asset to your hospital and such an amazing patient advocate. I hope this is shared with her and her peers. Thank you, Meghan, for everything!