Mitzi Halvorson was recognized for providing exceptional end-of-life care to a patient, according to her nominator. Halvorson was with the patient and the family as they decided to support the patient with comfort measures in the final stage of life.
It was a balance of giving frequent medications, educating and gaining the trust of the family, repositioning, and cleaning and performing lip care — all while continuing to care for her other patients. Halverson was in the room often, and more and more as the patient was actively dying. Halvorson not only offered comfort and support to the patient but also to the grieving family.
"What impressed me the most, and I don't even know if Mitzi knew she did this, is that each time she gave a medication through the IV, she reached up and gently touched the patient's face," says the nominator. "The patient was not conscious or aware, but that simple act of genuine love and respect was precious and noticed by the family, especially the patient's husband and sister, who mentioned how kind and compassionate Mitzi was."