Today I came on shift to meet a lovely homeless patient that was newly diagnosed with metastatic cancer. I was touched when I found out that Martin had acquired a backpack, tent, footwear, and several other smaller items for this patient as we had been unable to secure placement for him. I was brought to tears when I found out that our case manager, Nicola Kelly, had actually acquired these items herself. She had spent her own money to purchase shoes, her son had donated his tent and she recruited a friend to donate the backpack.
I witnessed Nicola continue to step outside of the boundaries of her job requirements to help this patient. She told me that she had promised him she would not send him back to the street. And guess what? She didn't. With her professional personal connections, she was able to find what will hopefully turn out to be a permanent placement for our patient. In turn, our patient will be donating the camping items he received to the homeless youths he works with.
It touched me to watch Nicola resort to any means necessary to keep her promise. She may have had to do things in unconventional ways but she was truly committed to her patient and securing the best outcome for him. I am proud to work with you, Nicola!