We would like to recognize Melinda for her outstanding attitude and extraordinary nursing qualities that she brings to the Arnold Palmer Medical Center (APMC) in her role as an OR nurse. There are many times that we require assistance from the pediatric team of OR staff to help with scheduling, needed equipment, or just an answer to questions that we know nothing about! Melinda always lends a helping hand and does it with a smile and kindness that is there no matter the time of day or what she may be in the middle of. Though she is called on for these things many times, she went above and beyond in helping a patient and her fellow team members last week. Melinda stepped in at the end of her 12-hour shift on a Sunday night to help care for a patient at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies (WPH) who was in need of an emergent procedure requiring the skills, knowledge, and equipment that could only be performed in a 4th floor operating suite at WPH. The on-call team had been called in, however, the OR nurse was going to be delayed due to a traffic accident that she was stuck in on the Turnpike. After realizing our options were limited, we asked Melinda if she would be willing to circulate and assist the doctors and staff who were standing by at WPH. Even though Melinda works as a pediatric OR nurse, she didn't hesitate when she learned what the case was and immediately recognized the importance of getting the patient to the OR as quickly as possible.
Melinda's demonstration of compassion for the patient, her collaboration with an unknown team of providers and team members, and the exemplary professionalism that was reflected in her attitude, efficiency, and effectiveness are all attributes that make her the perfect example of what we should each strive for in our nursing practice. She is a nurse who helps guide and makes delivery of quality healthcare to our patients not only attainable each day but also a pleasure.