Renee is an amazing nurse. A good example of this, is the night my feeding tube was yanked out of my body by accident at 2:00AM. I passed out and fell on my tube feed cord, ripping my tube out. She was not my nurse that night, but she rushed to my aid. She helped me get taken care of but also stayed to make sure mentally I was okay. Not only has she been a great nurse, but she offers excellent support for any mental health needs and she does this every single shift. She is someone I’d love to work with every single time I am hospitalized. 

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Erin has not only been an amazing nurse, but she also has stepped up so that I could have my dog visit me to lift my spirits. She was very calm and collected when I was in a pain crisis. She stayed and took excellent care of me. She would rub/massage my arms and neck while in a full body muscle spasms/cramp. She ran the room well. She was calmer than 2 of my doctors. She is a nurse whom I wish you could duplicate. Erin exemplifies everything that you need to be as an above-and-beyond nurse. 

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Megan has been my nurse a handful of times. She has done several of my chemo infusions. The sheer knowledge she has is insane and it really has come in handy a few times. She is also unbelievably kind and a hard worker. Megan is constantly focused on my needs as a patient, but she treated me like a person first and foremost. That actually isn’t always the way it goes as a patient in a lot of places, so the be treated with such respect and kindness, is huge. 

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You will hear people often say words are not adequate….today we believe that statement to be truer than ever before!

The professionalism of each unit was never in doubt: such tenderness and compassionate care while administering 1.5 hours of meds, twice daily and all the dosing in between; assisting with every daily living activity as she lost her ability to do those on her own, daily huddles where her name was always mentioned as the units worked tirelessly to attend to her every need.

So, what is unique in this story?  While all this was occurring, the units took us in as a family. A Deeply rooted family. How? Daily, someone would ask how our girl is doing. Seeing her as a person, in addition to a patient, sharing books, conversation about what is normal, the bachelor, dating, and music are all typical for a young woman in her twenties. Coming in on days off just to chat, bring her favorite Starbucks order or ice cream, and braid her hair.

Taking her out of the room as much as possible. No small task given it requires at least one and, more often than not two nurses, while the rest of the unit covered patients to make these moments happen: outside for a sunset, Xmas lights, and the helipad for a stunning last view of the skyline.

We never knew the word for word mission of St Joseph’s and we think that is because we did not need the words, the units live them breathe them it’s a part of who they are…

Let’s remind ourselves of those words;
For over 150 years, Saint Joseph Hospital has honored the deep faith-based roots planted in Denver by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth-roots that sustain our mission to care for patients and their families, body, mind, and spirit.

Without knowing those words, here is what I said to Sarah Wiley, a freelance writer putting together a fund-raising letter on behalf of St Joe's after M passed: “Your dollars go to provide earthly care—scans, medications, facilities, treatments. But it also preserves the soul. It nurtures it all." That is the care you'll receive at Saint Joe's.
AND that is exactly what M experienced and what we still do today.

We have immeasurable respect, love, and gratitude for all of you -congratulations on the much-deserved recognition that reaffirms you are just the people you need to be.