sarah sossoman, RN

My dad transferred from another area hospital to Memorial on the third floor. Sarah recognized the signs of sepsis (low blood pressure, high heart rate) and called his doctor to move him to the oncology floor for critical monitoring until surgery could be done. She took action with limited information (only a urologist visit) that was lifesaving.
My dad was very vulnerable and with the utmost care and respect asked what he would like to be called. Sarah gently and kindly talked to him about what she needed to do to provide care before doing it. She comforted him with his concerns and treated him with such respect and dignity. She listened intently to me relaying his experience at another hospital as she pieced together how best to act on orders to avoid septic shock. My sister was crying, and Sarah validated her feelings and told her that what she sees in his current state is not normal, even if it was unsettling for the family. We only knew Sarah for an hour, but she is a person we will never forget; an angel.