Pediatric Cardiothoracic Unit and Pediatric ICU
December 2023
Pediatric Cardiothoracic Unit and Pediatric ICU
University of Michigan Health Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor
,
MI
United States
Adams, Samantha Nursing (PCTU)
Adamson, Ariel Nursing (PCTU)
Ambelang, Michelle Clerical
Andrist, Erica Dr. (Attending)
Baxter, Renee Respiratory Therapy, PICU
Begley, Busakorn “Kay” Nursing (PCTU)
Berryman, Kelly, Nursing (PCTU)
Black, Becky Respiratory Therapy, PCTU
Clark, Anthony Respiratory Therapy PICU
Clevenger, Rachel Nursing (PICU)
Collett, Zach Respiratory Therapy Tech, PCTU
Collis, Kristina Tech (PCTU)
Copp, Amber, nursing PCTU
Dantzer, Adrian Clinical Assistant
Dickinson, Kyle Nursing (PCTU)
Drahos, Sam Nursing (PICU)
Dudley, Ruby Nursing (PCTU)
Duprey, Kelly Nursing (PICU)
Dushary, Tanya Clerical
Eaton, Madelynn Nursing PCTU (wrote the story)
Emig, Laura Nursing (PCTU)
Hall, Britney EVS
Harnica, Stephanie Respiratory Therapy PICU
Harris, Michelle Respiratory Therapy, PCUT
Horn, Kathrine Clerical
Hymphrey, Kristine Nursing (CSR)
Jordan, Rob Respiratory Therapy, PCTU
Jordan, Faren EVS
Kaba, Djene EVS
Karr, Leah Nursing (PICU)
Keating, Courtney Nursing (CSR)
Knebler, Kendall Nursing (PCTU)
Konduri, Anushi Dr. (Fellow)
Kurzeia, Kim Nursing (PCTU)
Larock, Ashley Nursing (PICU)
Levy, Danielle Dr. (Fellow)
Milton, Celia Clinical Assistant
Monday, Breanna Nursing (PCTU)
Muir, Erin Nursing (PCTU)
Nitz, Amanda Nursing (PCTU)
Olive, Mary Kay Dr.(Attending)
Paulsen, Adam Nursing (PICU)
Peters, Cindy Respiratory Therapy PICU
Phillips, Sarah Nursing (PCTU)
Pliakas, Maria Dr. Maria Pliakas (Fellow)
Pritz, Ben Dr. (Fellow)
Prucknic, Rose Clerical
Quasney, Mike Dr. (Attending)
Redman, Elmina Respiratory Therapy Tech, PCTU
Roosa, Stephanie Nursing (PCTU)
Running, Kystin Tech (CSR)
Sheldon, Terry EVS
Smith, Sue Respiratory Therapy, PCUT
Smith, Meg Nursing (PCTU)
Smith, Jaci Nursing (PICU)
Sokolowski, Alyssa Respiratory Therapy PICU
Southall, Leslie Nursing (CSR)
Sznycer-Taub, Nate Dr. (Attending)
Talley, Elisha Nursing (PCTU)
Turner, Palishia Nursing (PCTU)
Varner, Karrah Nursing (PCTU)
Vollmar, Valerie Nursing (PCTU)
Wallace, Bethena Nursing (PCTU)
Walz, Kayla, nursing (PCTU)
Weber, Samantha Respiratory Therapy Tech, PICU
Wilson Lauren Nursing (PCTU)
Wolschendorf, Robin Dr. (Fellow)
Adamson, Ariel Nursing (PCTU)
Ambelang, Michelle Clerical
Andrist, Erica Dr. (Attending)
Baxter, Renee Respiratory Therapy, PICU
Begley, Busakorn “Kay” Nursing (PCTU)
Berryman, Kelly, Nursing (PCTU)
Black, Becky Respiratory Therapy, PCTU
Clark, Anthony Respiratory Therapy PICU
Clevenger, Rachel Nursing (PICU)
Collett, Zach Respiratory Therapy Tech, PCTU
Collis, Kristina Tech (PCTU)
Copp, Amber, nursing PCTU
Dantzer, Adrian Clinical Assistant
Dickinson, Kyle Nursing (PCTU)
Drahos, Sam Nursing (PICU)
Dudley, Ruby Nursing (PCTU)
Duprey, Kelly Nursing (PICU)
Dushary, Tanya Clerical
Eaton, Madelynn Nursing PCTU (wrote the story)
Emig, Laura Nursing (PCTU)
Hall, Britney EVS
Harnica, Stephanie Respiratory Therapy PICU
Harris, Michelle Respiratory Therapy, PCUT
Horn, Kathrine Clerical
Hymphrey, Kristine Nursing (CSR)
Jordan, Rob Respiratory Therapy, PCTU
Jordan, Faren EVS
Kaba, Djene EVS
Karr, Leah Nursing (PICU)
Keating, Courtney Nursing (CSR)
Knebler, Kendall Nursing (PCTU)
Konduri, Anushi Dr. (Fellow)
Kurzeia, Kim Nursing (PCTU)
Larock, Ashley Nursing (PICU)
Levy, Danielle Dr. (Fellow)
Milton, Celia Clinical Assistant
Monday, Breanna Nursing (PCTU)
Muir, Erin Nursing (PCTU)
Nitz, Amanda Nursing (PCTU)
Olive, Mary Kay Dr.(Attending)
Paulsen, Adam Nursing (PICU)
Peters, Cindy Respiratory Therapy PICU
Phillips, Sarah Nursing (PCTU)
Pliakas, Maria Dr. Maria Pliakas (Fellow)
Pritz, Ben Dr. (Fellow)
Prucknic, Rose Clerical
Quasney, Mike Dr. (Attending)
Redman, Elmina Respiratory Therapy Tech, PCTU
Roosa, Stephanie Nursing (PCTU)
Running, Kystin Tech (CSR)
Sheldon, Terry EVS
Smith, Sue Respiratory Therapy, PCUT
Smith, Meg Nursing (PCTU)
Smith, Jaci Nursing (PICU)
Sokolowski, Alyssa Respiratory Therapy PICU
Southall, Leslie Nursing (CSR)
Sznycer-Taub, Nate Dr. (Attending)
Talley, Elisha Nursing (PCTU)
Turner, Palishia Nursing (PCTU)
Varner, Karrah Nursing (PCTU)
Vollmar, Valerie Nursing (PCTU)
Wallace, Bethena Nursing (PCTU)
Walz, Kayla, nursing (PCTU)
Weber, Samantha Respiratory Therapy Tech, PICU
Wilson Lauren Nursing (PCTU)
Wolschendorf, Robin Dr. (Fellow)
As small and indirect as you think your actions may be, it has a huge impact and allows us to offer patients the highest-level care as a team.
Tuesday 7/11 was my first day as a Charge RN (off orientation). I encountered not one, but two difficult patient cases that required full PCTU and PICU collaboration, on top of high occupancy and routine cases. By the end of the shift, PCTU was bedding a PICU accommodation that required PCTU support, and a PCTU patient that required PICU support. I continue to be in awe of the work we do. Every time I think I have seen us at our best, both clinically and collaboratively, we manage to outdo ourselves and raise the bar even higher. At one point I called the PICU Charge and said I don't know what I need, but I have a neurologic emergency and I need your help. I had barely hung up the phone and she was already outside the patient room with extra staff and supplies. I sat down to write a list of names for recognition, and to outline specific instances of people going above and beyond. What evolved was simply this: I spent the entire shift watching every single staff member from PCTU and PICU, from every involved discipline, helping in whatever way possible. I could easily tell you the names of the bedside nurse, RTs, ECMO Specialists, Physicians, and Techs directly involved in the care of these two patients. But none of their efforts would have been possible without the assistance of their peers. EVS did more STAT cleans than I can count. The Clerks quickly got the paperwork organized and pages sent. Nurses and Techs covered breaks, answered call lights, administered meds, organized supplies, made lines, and simply asked "What can I do now?" PICU and PCTU Physicians jumped in to take patients to imaging, put in orders, offer clinical collaboration, and quickly transfer patients. Nursing Leadership worked together to ensure the best plan for every patient and family, not just a few. Social Work, Spiritual Care, and Child Life provided family support. And I don't think I even once had to call an RT, because they were in the room before I even asked for help. So, to every single person who worked yesterday and last night I would like to say the following: I will never be able to fully express my gratitude and appreciation. Days like yesterday will never be possible without the things you do every day to support your peers. As small and indirect as you think your actions may be, it has a huge impact and allows us to offer patients the highest-level care as a team. Yesterday we cared for over 40 patients between PICU and PCTU, and all of them, not just two, received the quality and personalized care they deserve. I am so proud to work with all of you.