While Traci was doing an assessment on the patient she shared personal stories with the family and it became quite evident that she had a deeper understanding of the patient and his struggles. She clearly saw him as not just her patient, but as a person, who was valued, loved, cherished, and respected by his family and friends, a successful individual prior to the event, and a person who still had a lot to offer the world. While we all wanted what was best for him in the long-term, she too understood that none of us wanted to lose him. After she observed him interacting with us, she encouraged us to not give up hope and to keep talking and visiting with him to stimulate his brain.
Traci also included us when caring for him and treated us as valued members of his care team each night he was under her watch. She joined in the conversations we had with him and asked questions to learn more about him as an individual, not just a patient. In additional, she would make a point to reach out to each family member when she saw us in the cafeteria, or in the coffee shop.
Traci treated my brother with dignity and respect by interacting with him as a person, not just as her patient. When the opportunity arose, she would joke with him and engage him in conversation, and she encouraged him to keep trying. At all times, we observed that his safety, comfort and well-being were first and foremost in the care she provided.
Traci not only demonstrated the art of care -GIVING but the art of CARING. She is an excellent clinician, but even more importantly; she is a very special person who deeply cares about her patients and their families.