Mindy had recently joined their team as a fellow Oncology Nurse Navigator when the pandemic started at Baystate Medical Center. She had transitioned from inpatient oncology at Baystate Medical Center, so Mindy expressed interest right from the start to return to the bedside to care for our patients fighting the COVID-19 virus. She was especially interested in assisting families staying connected while their loved ones were in our Intensive Care Units.
The nominator shared a story from a family that lost their mother due to the COVID-19 infection. They were grateful for the phenomenal care that their mother received during her stay at Baystate Medical Center. They had not been able to see her since the beginning of March due to the pandemic. They were especially grateful for Mindy keeping them connected when they could not physically be at the bedside for the end of life care of their mother. They wanted to thank Mindy for going above and beyond providing virtual visits with their loved one, staying late to make sure all the family could have time with their mother. It was during one of these visits that the patient woke up joking and laughing with her family and told them she loved them. Unfortunately, she slipped back into a coma state and passed shortly after this visit. They attribute this gift of time to Mindy. She also provided comfort and compassion by holding the patient's hand during the final virtual visit. The family feels that Mindy became their hands when they could not be there. Mindy's actions left this family with the comfort of knowing they do not have to live the rest of their lives regretting not being able to say goodbye to their mom.