Riley J Gerwin, RN

Riley was caring for a patient who had just been admitted from the ER for influenza. The patient was very unstable from the moment he got up here from the ER and was requiring quite a bit of oxygen. The patient did not want to be intubated.

Riley was familiar with this patient because she cared for his wife in a different room not long ago, reminiscing about how he comforted her the entire time. Through conversation, it was discovered that the patient's wife was also a patient here at the hospital, but in the Hospice Unit. The patient's son was overwhelmed as the patient opted for comfort care as well.

Riley got in touch with palliative care, got approval from the doctor, and arranged for the wife (hospice patient) to come and be with her husband as he passed. The couple was able to face each other with beds facing opposite directions and hold hands as he passed. This type of care, compassion, and collaboration exceeds all expectations of a nurse and demonstrates the utmost commitment to providing the best care possible.

One of the missions of Blanchard Valley Hospital is 'Caring for a lifetime'. Through Riley's dedication and actions, she was able to provide this family the opportunity to accompany their parents through their final journey, with dignity and profound care, honoring a lifetime worth of devotion.