Elaine is an advocate, advisor, comforter, cheerleader, and hand holder. She takes on responsibility above and beyond her duty to ensure not only exceptional episodic care for her Cath Lab patients but also exceptional longitudinal follow up through the "Helping Hearts" cardiac support group that she co-leads. Elaine is the nurse I want on my team if I or any of my family needs a cardiac catheterization, cardiac intervention, or cardiac surgery. She is truly special.
Elaine paid for a number of Helping Heart meetings out of her own pocket to ensure the support group did not fail. She did this with no expectation of reimbursement, and it was only after she was probed about this that her Director became aware. Elaine never asked for anything, even a pat on the back. She gave of herself because it was right...right for her patients, right for her organization, and right in line with her life calling as a nurse.