Cynthia is an experienced Emergency Nurse who works night shift at Queen of the Valley Emergency Department. She is called “Mamma” by some of the staff and delights in the nick name. Cynthia is always the first to volunteer to care for the homeless, indigent, and often “drunk” patient. She offers support and compassion along with encouragement and love to EVERY patient. Her patience is obvious and consistent. She calls nursing her mission, her art, and her life’s work. She mentors other nurses and paramedics and teaches them compassion along with technical skills.
Cynthia once asked me to “watch” her patient while she went to her car- when she came back with a pair of new white socks; she explained that that was her gift to help the alcoholic homeless man start “fresh”. She then hugged him on the way out the door.