Sarah is a bright, personable, Extraordinary Nurse who has served Saint Alphonsus for several years. Her patients are quite drawn to her effective teaching and the obvious respect and care she has for them. She is able to help them buy into and invest in their own health and encourages them to make and accomplish health goals. She is very much an advocate for her patients and has gone out of her way to get needed equipment and medications for them, that wouldn't have happened without her intervention. Many times she connects patients to resources, such as home health, hospice, rehab, drug assistance programs, and more. I have listened to her frequently give timely, and in many cases, life-saving instruction.
In one instance, she worked tirelessly to help a patient with learning difficulties and minimal resources to get rides to his doctor appointments, have his medications set up and delivered to him by the pharmacy, assisted in getting this patient on Medicaid, and eventually helped him apply for and receive housing! This patient was given a much greater quality of life because of her efforts. She even went with him to some of his medical appointments to make sure there was top-notch communication between patient and physician. Now there is an example of core values!
Sarah has a deep knowledge base and has been a frequent resource for her coworkers, thus ensuring the program continues to be enhanced. During COVID-19, many of our patients have felt alone, disconnected, often not able to have an in-person visit with a physician, and frightened by the circumstances. She has been a trusted, steady source of reassurance, current information, and direction to them. They know they can count on her and they can call her with questions and concerns. She is always, always thinking about what would be best for her patients. I have the highest respect for her. Sarah's example and leadership have impacted the way I serve patients as well.