July 2022 Honoree
Morton Plant Hospital Barnard 5
Jennifer Ransford MSN, RN, NE-BC • Melanie Stalbird DNP, PCCN, A-GNP • Logan Johnson MSN, RN Director of Patient Care Services • Juliana Troka MSN, RN, PCCN, SCRN • Melanie Martin Medical Assistant • Lorraine Laguardia RN • Suzana Demiri RN • Hannah Mack RN, PCL • Nicole Miele CNR • Leah Leahy RN • Amy Eichinger RN • Shanna Skaggs PST • Sauda Mboya PST • Ashley Matney PST • Nykheria Hamm PCT • Meghan Jennings RN • Deshon Berkel RN
When we are sick, we expect our nurses to excel in taking care of our physical needs, but often it is the compassion a nurse demonstrates that leaves an indelible mark on our lives. Those nurses who see patients as the individuals they are with fears, hopes, regrets, and dreams are the ones patients remember forever, especially when they agree to plan your wedding.
Recently, there was a patient that was admitted. He expressed that his future was uncertain, and he was grappling with the fear of death. Lying in a hospital room for several days, he thought a lot about his life and his priorities. He came to the realization that relationships were most important, and his most important relationship was with his longtime girlfriend. This patient asked the nurse manager during rounds if she could help him marry his longtime girlfriend. He stated, "I should've done it 10 years ago." He felt that he wanted to do it here at MPH due to the care and compassion he has received during this difficult time.
The Barnard 5 Team rallied. They coordinated with a notary, pastoral care, senior leadership, and this couple to coordinate a wedding in the hospital chapel. Barnard 5 team members, Mel Martin, Hannah Mack, Katrina Somers, Jessica Leer, and Melanie Stalbird rallied to make this event happen with the guidance of Logan Johnson, Director of Nursing. This was an excellent display of the BayCare and DAISY values in action. Planning a wedding is not a request our nurses receive every day, but the team couldn’t let this special couple down. They quickly went into action to ensure they could give the couple a memorable day. They reserved the chapel, bought a cake, decorated for a mini reception, and helped secure the marriage license. The couple brought recordings of their favorite songs, exchanged vows they had written to each other, enjoyed the special reception our Barnard 5 team planned, and, most importantly, shared this special day with our team who showed them care and compassion far beyond what they imagined when they came to Morton Plant Hospital.
Recently, there was a patient that was admitted. He expressed that his future was uncertain, and he was grappling with the fear of death. Lying in a hospital room for several days, he thought a lot about his life and his priorities. He came to the realization that relationships were most important, and his most important relationship was with his longtime girlfriend. This patient asked the nurse manager during rounds if she could help him marry his longtime girlfriend. He stated, "I should've done it 10 years ago." He felt that he wanted to do it here at MPH due to the care and compassion he has received during this difficult time.
The Barnard 5 Team rallied. They coordinated with a notary, pastoral care, senior leadership, and this couple to coordinate a wedding in the hospital chapel. Barnard 5 team members, Mel Martin, Hannah Mack, Katrina Somers, Jessica Leer, and Melanie Stalbird rallied to make this event happen with the guidance of Logan Johnson, Director of Nursing. This was an excellent display of the BayCare and DAISY values in action. Planning a wedding is not a request our nurses receive every day, but the team couldn’t let this special couple down. They quickly went into action to ensure they could give the couple a memorable day. They reserved the chapel, bought a cake, decorated for a mini reception, and helped secure the marriage license. The couple brought recordings of their favorite songs, exchanged vows they had written to each other, enjoyed the special reception our Barnard 5 team planned, and, most importantly, shared this special day with our team who showed them care and compassion far beyond what they imagined when they came to Morton Plant Hospital.
Thank you for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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