I received a call over the weekend with some devastating news. The young man on the other end of the phone was once a little boy that I babysat during my adolescence. He shared that his mother (and my late mother’s dear friend) passed away. I asked him where she was cared for and he told me she was cared for at Baystate Medical Center. I didn’t even ask but he shared that Baystate is “full of angels”. When asked to elaborate, he shared with me the group he referred to as “Paw Patrol” and then described them as wearing red scrubs.

Immediately I knew this to be the compassionate team of Rapid Response employees. He even called out one in particular, Rick Barus. He said that Nurse Rick went out of their way, to spend time with them, explaining what was happening, and putting her current health status into words that made sense. None of the children of this patient are in the healthcare field, and he said that Rick was his angel at Baystate. I felt so moved by this story I wanted to share it with whoever will hear it.

Thank you to Rick Barus for your grace and sympathy during the last days of my friend's life. Her children and I are forever grateful. RRT is usually working through intense moments, and I am in awe that this compassionate connection is what my friend’s son is going to remember about the end of her life.