Valorie has been an RN at Salem Health since 2008, with the majority of that time in the emergency department. For those of us that are fortunate to work with her, we are truly in the presence of something great.
Valorie has committed her life's work to diabetes education. She even has her national certification in diabetic education. Not only does she work full time in our ED as an RN, she also gives time to the Salem-Keizer school district. She educates teachers about diabetes and how to care for these children. The amount of time and energy that Val has given diabetes education is countless. She is always working on projects to improve this very difficult subject. Her latest contribution to diabetes education for Salem Health is the development of two brand new algorithms for DKA patients in the ED; 1 for adults and 1 for pediatric patients. With a professional team, Valorie researched, collected data, designed and wrote the algorithms and then presented the 2 algorithms to the physician groups for approval. Of course, they gave their blessings and with that the ED now, finally, has a consistent and updated way on how to care for these very critical patients. Our diabetic patients are getting the most up to date care and patient outcomes are improving. At the same time, she was developing these algorithms, Valorie was writing a book. Yes, a book! Although categorized as a children's book, adults can benefit from this well thought out, uplifting story about living with diabetes. It is a beautiful story with a very positive message that states you can be whomever you want to be, even with diabetes. At the end of the story, Val even wrote a letter to parents of children with diabetes. It is written from the view of a diabetic child (Val would know). It is VERY moving, and will surely bring tears to your eyes.
Another great adventure that Valorie just took on was being interviewed on a local television show about diabetes. November is diabetes awareness month and she took this opportunity to share on television, information about diabetes. She spoke beautifully, professionally and represented Salem Health in such a great way. I was so proud to be watching my friend and co-worker speak so passionately about something so dear to her.
While everything Valorie has accomplished is undoubtedly, outstanding, I would now like to speak about the heart of Valorie by sharing three stories. The first one is about a day Valorie was working in triage. As a Charge RN, I received a phone call from lab with a critical glucose level on a 17-year-old girl waiting in our lobby. Knowing Valorie was in triage I called her and informed her of the >500 glucose. Valorie went into action and found that this patient had never been diagnosed with diabetes and was here with a complaint of an abscess. On further chart investigation, Val found that this girl had been to our ED several times within the last year with abscesses (an unfortunate side effect of uncontrolled diabetes). We immediately roomed the teen, and Valorie followed her. Valorie alerted her and her family about the blood sugar level and what it meant. The patient was obviously scared and started crying. Valorie consoled and listened. She then continued talking with the patient and family letting them know that this is a manageable disease and she can live very well once it's controlled. While Val was in triage, she walked back and forth between the patient's ED room and triage just so she could continue educating the patient and providing reassurance. She assisted the ED doctor with the patient's treatment plan. Valorie even followed up the next day with the patient, as she so frequently does, to answer any questions and provide resources.
Another great Valorie story is one when she was on vacation, because even on vacation in Cancun, Val will take the time to educate about diabetes! Valorie was in a swimming pool with her two daughters and noticed that a little boy, about 7 years old, kept staring at her insulin pump. He would then whisper to his sibling and then look at the pump again. Eventually the little boy came up to Val and asked, "Is that an insulin pump?". Val stated "why, yes it is!". The boy went on to say that he too is a diabetic and was hoping for an insulin pump for Christmas (remember this boy is 7). Valorie talked with this boy and his parents at length about living with diabetes and even gave them a copy of her book. She also gave them her contact information in case they ever have questions about how to manage his care when back in the states!
The last story brings us back to the ED. A 21-year-old girl presented to our ED with her mom. She had recently moved from Eastern Washington to the Woodburn area to live in a very minimalist community, which included not driving. She had lived here for a month and had not been able to get established with a physician to manage her diabetes. This day she presented was not to check in, but to get help in other ways. She was seen the day prior in the ED and was having a difficult time with the follow up information she was given. Valorie sprang into action. Valorie sat down with the patient and her mom in the back office for over an hour. Valorie provided her with a glucometer, strips, referrals and plenty of education. One of Val's recommendations was that she start driving. This patient was not able to get to and from doctor's appointments because her new community did not endorse her driving. Valorie told the girl, that for the sake of her own health, she would have to start driving again. The patient really took this to heart and realized the value in this. When they left Valorie that afternoon the patient had everything she needed and was going to start driving again.
There is an old French term, raison d'etre, which means 'reason for being'. I would imagine Valorie would say her raison d'etre is first, being a mom to two adorable daughters and second, educating all that she can about diabetes. Educating young and old, educated and non-educated, upper and lower class, anyone she can get her hands on. Valorie has found her true life's passion in something that once started out as a horrible diagnosis for her. It is remarkable to watch her work and I am so thankful that I get to be a small part of her amazing journey.