Olachi was my introduction to The Woman's Hospital, and what a wonderful intro it was! Here's the story: 

It started with my doctor, declaring that I needed to go to the ER, after I reported to him that I was experiencing severe abdominal pain. My husband then drove me to The Woman's Hospital, where my doctor is affiliated and also where I had abdominal surgery 4 weeks earlier. I then was admitted to the ER for diagnostic tests. After spending much of the day there, my doctor decided that it would be best for me to stay overnight, given that the symptoms had not abated. So I was taken to the Post Surgical Unit that evening, where I met Olachi.

Olachi's warm, energetic presence gave me great comfort as I settled into the idea of spending the night in the hospital. It was clear that my care and comfort were everything to her, remarkably so. She brought me something to eat, as I had not eaten all day. She fetched a heating pad and set that up for me, as I was cold. She engaged me in conversations which were fascinating and amusing, which helped soften my worries about my condition, which as yet was undiagnosed.

Olachi continued to be my nurse for the next two days, as testing continued. Throughout that time, she was consistently herself, genuine, loving, and highly competent as a professional. The two of us became closely connected, sharing stories and experiences.

Olachi is truly a gifted human being. The fact that she has chosen the nursing profession as her life's work, her sense of giving back, and her interest in connecting with her patients on a very human level, raise her in my eyes to another level. Though I cannot pinpoint a particular event that stands above all others in my interactions with Olachi, I believe that her cumulative assets as a human being should be recognized. I have never met a nursing professional as effective as Olachi in communicating love and compassion for her patients through her daily care and interactions.