I was recently an unexpected patient to the Meijer Heart Center 6 North ward. I was brought by ambulance transfer from Fremont Gerber ED. I was not in acute distress or pain, but needed immediate admission for testing. It was quickly determined that I needed to be scheduled for CABG surgery. Unfortunately, due to staff vacations, a holiday weekend, and complications that required consultations, I was delayed by a week.

Again, being without pain or other pressing medical attention, the nursing assistance I required was somewhat minimal. With that, I believe it would have been easy to put me on the “back burner” as I was somewhat self-sufficient/independent.

As I waited for my surgical date to be set, I had the pleasure of being tended to by Sydney, a self-avowed newer member to the nursing ranks having recently graduated a few months prior. The fact of being a less experienced factors into my award submission because of the intangibles she brings to her daily duties.

I am a former Navy Corpsman with years of schooling and experience in various hospital wards/services. I was able to view the nursing staff with a critical eye to ensure my care was being executed timely, efficiently, accurately, and following procedures (during my various exercise walks, I read the different ward information boards). Full disclosure…the entirety of the 6North staff also falls into this category. The thing that I feel set Sydney apart was the way in which her nightly duties were accomplished.

Sydney, if nothing else, is a knowledgeable, courteous, and professional nurse through and through. It was just “her way” of caring that I feel stands apart. Taking the time to have a conversation about my care, apprehension about my upcoming procedure, or just out experience in patient care- Sydney was “present,” listening to my comments, my needs, my concerns, and attending to ALL of them. Again, I use the word “intangible” to describe what she brings to her patient care. 

I was very lucky to be in relatively good shape, leading to my procedure requiring somewhat minimal care. What I would like to recognize is the person that Sydney is behind the veneer of nurse and caregiver. The situation I was in made it easier for me as I was able to understand and be comfortable in the hospital environment, understand the medicine, the tests, the routine, etc... Having all my medical needs tended to allowed me to see very clearly the person behind the care and how it was accomplished.

I feel very strongly that a certain type of person gravitates to the profession of healthcare. The reasons people have, the skills they possess, their desire to provide care are all different, but are certainly “variations on a theme.” My submission for Syndey goes to the person she is. He embodies all of the tangible and intangible qualities a healthcare worker should ideally possess. 

Being a patient for the first time in my life and being on the “receiving end” of care gave me a great perspective in many areas and allowed me to see the person behind all that care.

I highly recommend Sydney for any and all recognition due to her providing a level of care, concern, and professionalism that I am sure your organization strives for and which awards like this are created to acknowledge.