Donna Hunter & Dr. Blake
June 2015
Donna
Hunter
,
RN
ED
Saint Joseph Jessamine
Lexington
,
KY
United States
On June 7 Donna Hunter, RN was looking after a patient that came in with a potential anxiety attack with a prior history of PTSD. Donna's bedside manner and compassion for this gentleman far exceeded what I have seen in all my years of practicing as a physician.
We had learned that night this gentleman was homeless and had a registered assistance dog at his side due to his anxiety and PTSD and had very little if any means to live on. The ED had been rather slow that night, and Donna took it upon herself to block this gentleman's room that he was occupying realizing that he had no place to go after his discharge from our facility. In doing so, he could stay and rest before returning to the street. The staff decided to order food that night and Donna took it upon herself to pay for food for the gentleman and his dog, without him or the staff knowing.
To add to the compassion Donna had shown thus far, on her free will and with a full heart she took up a small collection of money from the staff and presented it to this man as he was leaving the hospital on foot with his four-legged friend by his side.
After the shift I left the hospital and passed the gentleman and his dog on the side of the road, I could not help but notice the look of happiness and peace that his expression displayed. I feel that because of Donna Hunter, that gentleman held his head a little higher and could face the day knowing that there are still Godly people among our society. There are people who do not judge yet use their talent, energy, and time to provide "HOPE and HEALING".
This act of kindness put a smile on my face because it reminded me of my mother, who was a registered nurse working up to the age of 74. This exemplified the kind of care that she would have given on any given day as she practiced nursing. Mother used to always say, "be good to the nurses Jim, give them the recognition they deserve". This is in part why I am writing this nomination, so others can recognize Donna for the excellent nurse that she is.
Donna's extraordinary compassion and nursing skills that day not only helped a man and his dog, it made me feel honored to be a part of the Saint Joseph Jessamine Team.
James J. Blake, M.D.
We had learned that night this gentleman was homeless and had a registered assistance dog at his side due to his anxiety and PTSD and had very little if any means to live on. The ED had been rather slow that night, and Donna took it upon herself to block this gentleman's room that he was occupying realizing that he had no place to go after his discharge from our facility. In doing so, he could stay and rest before returning to the street. The staff decided to order food that night and Donna took it upon herself to pay for food for the gentleman and his dog, without him or the staff knowing.
To add to the compassion Donna had shown thus far, on her free will and with a full heart she took up a small collection of money from the staff and presented it to this man as he was leaving the hospital on foot with his four-legged friend by his side.
After the shift I left the hospital and passed the gentleman and his dog on the side of the road, I could not help but notice the look of happiness and peace that his expression displayed. I feel that because of Donna Hunter, that gentleman held his head a little higher and could face the day knowing that there are still Godly people among our society. There are people who do not judge yet use their talent, energy, and time to provide "HOPE and HEALING".
This act of kindness put a smile on my face because it reminded me of my mother, who was a registered nurse working up to the age of 74. This exemplified the kind of care that she would have given on any given day as she practiced nursing. Mother used to always say, "be good to the nurses Jim, give them the recognition they deserve". This is in part why I am writing this nomination, so others can recognize Donna for the excellent nurse that she is.
Donna's extraordinary compassion and nursing skills that day not only helped a man and his dog, it made me feel honored to be a part of the Saint Joseph Jessamine Team.
James J. Blake, M.D.