I am a physician assistant with 38 years of experience in family medicine and zero experience as a patient.
I had an unexpected medical event that put me into an unfamiliar and frightening situation. The COVID pandemic created a visitor prohibition and I felt quite alone.
I had a procedure and was admitted to the floor and was assigned to Edith Alvarez.
The first thing that impressed me was a huge welcoming smile and greeting and that made me feel instantly that she cared and it wasn't just a job for her.
Throughout my experience, Edith exhibited compassion, empathy, and warmth. She educated me, answered all my concerns, checked on my emotional and physical wellbeing constantly.
She was quick and efficiently doing her professional duties, maintaining IVs, medications, orders, and documentation, however, simultaneously, she sprinkled it with humor, grace, and personalized care.
As she quickly performed her job, frequently her tasks were accompanied by a cheerful humming of a song or tune. Just seems like a happy person spreading positivity and joy to whom she contacts.
You are lucky to have her represent Kaiser and represent she does. She encapsulates the Thrive that's promoted by your organization and made me feel well cared for by a person that truly loves what she does and made my experience at the hospital a healing supportive one.
I would be incredibly pleased if the organization recognized her uniqueness and allowed her to be an example of promoting Kaiser patients to Thrive.