Utaiwan Hucks
March 2021
Utaiwan
Hucks
,
BSN, RN
Mental Health
INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
Oklahoma City
,
OK
United States
Tai ran the code like she had done it dozens of times prior; however, I later found out that, this was her first ever experience with death.
I think we often lose sight of things done well and people that shine in time of tragedy, which is why I wanted to share a story of amazing leadership and celebrate one individual that stood out to me during a terrible and sad moment. I work at Integris Mental health in Spencer. Thankfully, "code blues" very rarely happens here. I responded to a code early one morning during shift change. Upon entering the unit, I heard the house supervisor, Tai state in loud calm voice, "let's start compressions."
As I gave compressions; Tai began to give the breathes with the ambu bag without hesitation. She attached the AED and went back to bagging. Tai remained calm and thought through the process while giving clear, calm instructions throughout the code. After the patient had been transported out with EMSA, and as we all went back to our units immediately afterwards, Tai quietly stepped away and began making calls to people to get things taken care of from an informative and legal standpoint. Tai ran the code like she had done it dozens of times prior; however, I later found out that, this was her first ever experience with death.
I came to Spencer from the cardiac unit at IBMC and have participated in several codes but none that ran any smoother or with better communication during a stressful and overwhelming moment. I have such respect for her, not only because the amazing calm demeanor she displayed that day, but also because of her true heart of compassion and the example she sets every shift. She always takes the time to speak the employees in passing and acknowledges the children in the units with a nurturing smile and empathetic disposition. What Tai brings to Spencer is often commonly lacking in the world, love, compassion, and empathy. Thankful and blessed to have her in leadership here in Spencer. Tai was/is a lighthouse in a storm!
As I gave compressions; Tai began to give the breathes with the ambu bag without hesitation. She attached the AED and went back to bagging. Tai remained calm and thought through the process while giving clear, calm instructions throughout the code. After the patient had been transported out with EMSA, and as we all went back to our units immediately afterwards, Tai quietly stepped away and began making calls to people to get things taken care of from an informative and legal standpoint. Tai ran the code like she had done it dozens of times prior; however, I later found out that, this was her first ever experience with death.
I came to Spencer from the cardiac unit at IBMC and have participated in several codes but none that ran any smoother or with better communication during a stressful and overwhelming moment. I have such respect for her, not only because the amazing calm demeanor she displayed that day, but also because of her true heart of compassion and the example she sets every shift. She always takes the time to speak the employees in passing and acknowledges the children in the units with a nurturing smile and empathetic disposition. What Tai brings to Spencer is often commonly lacking in the world, love, compassion, and empathy. Thankful and blessed to have her in leadership here in Spencer. Tai was/is a lighthouse in a storm!