A patient and her family made the decision to transition the patient to Hospice Care after decades of battling liver disease, end-stage kidney disease, and failed liver transplants. Care Coordinator, Helen Papieka, met with the family to discuss the transition. During the meeting, she discovered that they were planning a summer wedding. However, due to the patient's poor prognosis, it was unlikely to happen.
After hearing the news, Helen took quick action to make sure a wedding would happen for the couple. Chelsea Walus, Social Worker, started working on obtaining a marriage license. Patient experience staff arranged flowers, cards, and a photographer. Food services personalized a wedding cake. The staff of 5 Acute Care brainstormed how to make the day special. White chairs were ordered for wedding guests, the patient's hair and makeup were professionally done, and music therapy was contacted.
In less than 48 hours, the wedding occurred. A beautiful and heartfelt ceremony was officiated by Dave Simmons, Hershey Medical Center Chaplain. The bride and groom exchanged vows, cut cake, and toasted each other in front of over twenty family, friends, and staff.
**Team Members honored with this DAISY Team Award:
Patient Experience
Patient Care Assistant
Clinical Nurse
Helen Papieka, BSN, RN, Care Coordinator
Krista Williamson, BSN, RN, CMSRN, CNML, Nurse Manager
Chelsea Walus, Social Worker
Michael Gillespie, Food Services