September 2020
Stephanie
Gomez
,
RN
Neurosciences IMU
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
Stephanie has a special gift to be able to relate not only to patients but also to her peers.
Stephanie Gomez is the true epitome of what the DAISY Award represents. Stephanie's spirit, her true passion for her work, and the empathy and compassion she shows on a daily basis results in incredible outcomes. Stephanie loves to sing and has been heard on occasion singing to her patients.
In one case, her patient had a devastating stroke and was aphasic and unable to speak clearly. Previously the patient had been a member of her church choir. Stephanie would come to her room and begin to sing gospel music for her. The patient, even with her speech difficulties, would begin to sing with her. Not because she could pronounce the words well, but because it brought her joy in her unfortunate circumstances. This seemingly small act provided so much hope and happiness to this patient all because she listened to her story. Stephanie would then encourage other staff to do the same and explaining how much the patient enjoyed it and how therapeutic it was for her.
In the last two months, Stephanie has been recognized by name on no less than seven different occasions on discharge call-backs. I asked Stephanie why she thought patients remembered her name so well even after discharge. Of course, she humbly replied she doesn't know. Then I asked, what does she think she does differently? Stephanie simply said, "I listen." She said that she will check the patients to see what kind of mood they were in early on. If they want to be quiet, she said, she'll be quiet with them. If they joke around, she'll joke with them or if they want to sing, she'll sing with them. Stephanie said she will adjust or meet them at their need at that particular time which I thought was an extremely advanced way of interrelating, especially for a nurse with 3 years of experience.
Stephanie has a special gift to be able to relate not only to patients but also to her peers. She will do what she can to put a smile on your face or meet you at your needs. Stephanie always comes to work with a great attitude that is contagious.
Thank you, Stephanie, for all that you do!
In one case, her patient had a devastating stroke and was aphasic and unable to speak clearly. Previously the patient had been a member of her church choir. Stephanie would come to her room and begin to sing gospel music for her. The patient, even with her speech difficulties, would begin to sing with her. Not because she could pronounce the words well, but because it brought her joy in her unfortunate circumstances. This seemingly small act provided so much hope and happiness to this patient all because she listened to her story. Stephanie would then encourage other staff to do the same and explaining how much the patient enjoyed it and how therapeutic it was for her.
In the last two months, Stephanie has been recognized by name on no less than seven different occasions on discharge call-backs. I asked Stephanie why she thought patients remembered her name so well even after discharge. Of course, she humbly replied she doesn't know. Then I asked, what does she think she does differently? Stephanie simply said, "I listen." She said that she will check the patients to see what kind of mood they were in early on. If they want to be quiet, she said, she'll be quiet with them. If they joke around, she'll joke with them or if they want to sing, she'll sing with them. Stephanie said she will adjust or meet them at their need at that particular time which I thought was an extremely advanced way of interrelating, especially for a nurse with 3 years of experience.
Stephanie has a special gift to be able to relate not only to patients but also to her peers. She will do what she can to put a smile on your face or meet you at your needs. Stephanie always comes to work with a great attitude that is contagious.
Thank you, Stephanie, for all that you do!