I had the privilege of working with Nurse Sandra Byle (Sandi) for a little over a year. Sandi works with me as the outpatient nurse for my clinic patients at IUH Springmill Center. Sandi worked in an orthopedic clinic in Colorado for several years before moving back to Zionsville where she lived prior to practicing in Colorado.

I was prepared to engage in a prolonged period of training to bring Sandi up to speed with the liver disease patients who comprise the majority of my clinical practice, with a significant proportion of sick patients with liver failure. However, within 2-3 months of working 1-2 times a week at this clinic,
Sandi accrued the skills of a seasoned liver nurse. She took notes about treatment protocols for liver patients, and even drafted a Word document with our clinic protocols.

There are several instances where Sandi went above and beyond to help her patients. However, if I were to choose a few, I would list her case for 3 recent patients. She was exemplary in her care for Patient #1 who was post-surgery for cancer in the setting of liver failure. Unfortunately, the patient worsened post-surgery and had fragile mentation owing to liver failure (reduced clearance of toxins). Sandi went above and beyond by staying in communication with the patient and family, assuring the family, and helping with the end-of-life process.

Patient #2 is also someone with liver failure with a significant urogynecological disease requiring surgery. Sandi, again, went way beyond the requirements, by counseling the patient to get the surgery scheduled at IUH (previously outside at a community hospital that did not have liver specialists to take care of liver complications), patient education, and helping coordinate care post-surgery. Patient #2 was so touched by her care from Sandi, that she and her family sent Sandi flowers to show gratitude. I have not seen a Nurse have such a profound effect on a patient and nurture such a deeply meaningful relationship with a patient in an outpatient setting.

Lastly, Patient #3 came to clinic this month, and was unfortunately lethargic. Sandi was at the bedside as a team member in helping the decision to send to the Emergency Room. I had a couple more clinic patients to see and start consenting for endoscopy in an hour. Sandi did not flinch and promptly called 911 using her cell phone, updated EMS on the clinical situation, and even stayed with the patient till EMS arrived. Needless to say, Sandi has a high Emotional Quotient, with immeasurable compassion, infectious energy, and joie de vivre. She is by far the best nurse I have had the privilege to work with in my career.