On Valentine's Day, we had a patient who was critically ill in the MICU with terminal lung disease. The patient and family were told that we had exhausted all options for this patient and that she would not survive. The daughter of the patient was so distraught that her mom would not be alive to see her marry her fiancé as planned and verbalized this to the bedside nurse, Kelly Cournan. The family stated they had wished someone could marry them while in the hospital with her mom present. Kelly relayed their disappointment and sadness to our medical attending on service, Dr. Bain. Even though it was Valentine's Day and Dr. Bain had plans with his wife and 3 children for the evening, Dr. Bain, took it upon himself to go online to the Universal Church of Life and became an Ordained Minister. Kelly was at the bedside diligently caring for the critically ill patient and providing comfort to the family. Charge RN Holly Deeb and fellow nurse Erin Klopfer provided support for 12 family members who were at the bedside with various emotions to share in the event. Dr. Bain performed a beautiful ceremony at the bedside and the patient's daughter and fiancé exchanged their vows. The patient passed peacefully a few hours later.
In talking with the family to finalize the Marriage Certificate after the patient's passing, the patient's daughter relayed this sentiment to me. "We are beyond grateful for Dr. Bain and the MICU nurses who helped to make our wishes come true and are so appreciative of this selfless act of kindness and support they extended to our family!"