Tobe Ezimora
February 2020
Tobe
Ezimora
,
RN
7 Heart and Vascular Unit
Nebraska Medicine -Nebraska Medical Center
Tobe asked J questions with genuine concern and listened to J while he processed through information. He was reassuring, calm, attentive, and made J feel like he was his most important patient.
My 38-year old brother, J, was a patient at UNMC during multiple stays over 5 months. He received the very best care during each of these stays from the countless doctors, nurses, technicians, and other hospital staff. I can easily think of many who are deserving of recognition for going above-and-beyond to care for my brother with compassion.
During J's most recent hospitalization at UNMC, he was fortunate enough to be assigned to the 7th floor. This stay was filled with many challenges for J, coordination by numerous doctors and teams, and complicated decisions and procedures. J typically did not have the same nurse for more than two days, however, we were so happy that he was cared for by Tobe for 3 days. Tobe found ways to connect with J when I was not able to be there, as I traveled back and forth from Sioux City each morning and night. Tobe shared that he had previously attended college in Sioux City and shared stories with J about his experiences so they could have things in common to discuss. We enjoyed joking with Tobe about a variety of things and he easily joked back with us, making us laugh. He learned about his nickname and soon enough, the nurses, doctors, techs, and other staff were calling him by his nickname, which helped make J feel loved. Tobe connected with J on a personal level, while at the same time, it was evident that his role as J's nurse was important to him and he took great pride in being a professional. Tobe was continually visiting with J about the information he received from each doctor, surgeon, and team, as well as helping to find out information, contacting providers, and monitor the updates and changes in medication, treatments, and procedures. Tobe asked J questions with genuine concern and listened to J while he processed through information. He was reassuring, calm, attentive, and made J feel like he was his most important patient, while I am certain that he likely makes each of his patients feel that way.
One Friday Tobe distinguished himself from any previous nurse who cared for J. The previous day, we had decided J needed to proceed with a second liver biopsy, as the first attempt did not yield any information. I arrived at UNMC early in the morning and was happy to see that Tobe had been assigned to care for J. J began receiving visits from doctors who advised him against the liver biopsy, which was scheduled at 10:30 am. The teams of doctors were responsive and weighed in on the decision to proceed with the liver biopsy. Tobe made sure that J knew the risks associated with the procedure and J was unwavering in his decision to attempt the biopsy to gain the information he had wanted his doctors to have for over 10 years. Tobe supported J in his decision and took him to the procedure at 10:30 am.
J returned within fifteen minutes and Tobe was immediately present to monitor J, check-in on how the procedure went and how J was feeling. Initially, J was so relieved the procedure had gone as well as it could and the doctor reported minimal bleeding and a successful biopsy from what he could determine. About 45 minutes following the procedure, J began complaining of pain, which was uncharacteristic for him. I went to the hall to get Tobe and he was quick to come to the room to take care of J. He proceeded to communicate with doctors to weigh in on what was happening with the ordering of x-ray, blood work, EKG, and supporting J throughout all of it. Tobe did not take a break, did not go to lunch, or even stop caring for J. Tobe said, "J is my patient and I'm not leaving him." J felt so safe receiving care from Tobe. When it was determined that J was bleeding internally, he worked tirelessly with the cardiothoracic NP to order blood work, medication, and monitor his vitals, including his plummeting blood pressure. Forever etched in my mind are the sequence of events that followed. While the ending was not what I prepared for, throughout the entire day, the one constant that remained was Tobe's devotion to caring for my brother J. Tobe did not leave J's side. When I could not be with J during some of his procedures, it was reassuring to know that Tobe was with him. When I learned after 7:00 pm that there had been a complication and J's heart stopped while in the PACU, I was devastated. Even as sad and filled with grief as I am, I am grateful to the medical professionals at UNMC who cared for J. I am so thankful for Tobe's exceptional care provided to J. I have wanted to thank him ever since that day and I can think of no better way to recognize him for his dedication, compassion, kindness, professionalism, and phenomenal care provided to J. Tobe is a true DAISY Nurse.
During J's most recent hospitalization at UNMC, he was fortunate enough to be assigned to the 7th floor. This stay was filled with many challenges for J, coordination by numerous doctors and teams, and complicated decisions and procedures. J typically did not have the same nurse for more than two days, however, we were so happy that he was cared for by Tobe for 3 days. Tobe found ways to connect with J when I was not able to be there, as I traveled back and forth from Sioux City each morning and night. Tobe shared that he had previously attended college in Sioux City and shared stories with J about his experiences so they could have things in common to discuss. We enjoyed joking with Tobe about a variety of things and he easily joked back with us, making us laugh. He learned about his nickname and soon enough, the nurses, doctors, techs, and other staff were calling him by his nickname, which helped make J feel loved. Tobe connected with J on a personal level, while at the same time, it was evident that his role as J's nurse was important to him and he took great pride in being a professional. Tobe was continually visiting with J about the information he received from each doctor, surgeon, and team, as well as helping to find out information, contacting providers, and monitor the updates and changes in medication, treatments, and procedures. Tobe asked J questions with genuine concern and listened to J while he processed through information. He was reassuring, calm, attentive, and made J feel like he was his most important patient, while I am certain that he likely makes each of his patients feel that way.
One Friday Tobe distinguished himself from any previous nurse who cared for J. The previous day, we had decided J needed to proceed with a second liver biopsy, as the first attempt did not yield any information. I arrived at UNMC early in the morning and was happy to see that Tobe had been assigned to care for J. J began receiving visits from doctors who advised him against the liver biopsy, which was scheduled at 10:30 am. The teams of doctors were responsive and weighed in on the decision to proceed with the liver biopsy. Tobe made sure that J knew the risks associated with the procedure and J was unwavering in his decision to attempt the biopsy to gain the information he had wanted his doctors to have for over 10 years. Tobe supported J in his decision and took him to the procedure at 10:30 am.
J returned within fifteen minutes and Tobe was immediately present to monitor J, check-in on how the procedure went and how J was feeling. Initially, J was so relieved the procedure had gone as well as it could and the doctor reported minimal bleeding and a successful biopsy from what he could determine. About 45 minutes following the procedure, J began complaining of pain, which was uncharacteristic for him. I went to the hall to get Tobe and he was quick to come to the room to take care of J. He proceeded to communicate with doctors to weigh in on what was happening with the ordering of x-ray, blood work, EKG, and supporting J throughout all of it. Tobe did not take a break, did not go to lunch, or even stop caring for J. Tobe said, "J is my patient and I'm not leaving him." J felt so safe receiving care from Tobe. When it was determined that J was bleeding internally, he worked tirelessly with the cardiothoracic NP to order blood work, medication, and monitor his vitals, including his plummeting blood pressure. Forever etched in my mind are the sequence of events that followed. While the ending was not what I prepared for, throughout the entire day, the one constant that remained was Tobe's devotion to caring for my brother J. Tobe did not leave J's side. When I could not be with J during some of his procedures, it was reassuring to know that Tobe was with him. When I learned after 7:00 pm that there had been a complication and J's heart stopped while in the PACU, I was devastated. Even as sad and filled with grief as I am, I am grateful to the medical professionals at UNMC who cared for J. I am so thankful for Tobe's exceptional care provided to J. I have wanted to thank him ever since that day and I can think of no better way to recognize him for his dedication, compassion, kindness, professionalism, and phenomenal care provided to J. Tobe is a true DAISY Nurse.