I think I can speak for all the charge nurses in the hospital when I say that Elisabeth Rodman gives us a breath of fresh air when she is our house supervisor. Lis goes above and beyond, providing outstanding and exceptional care to our patients; support and understanding to both charge nurses and bedside staff, and is truly the gold standard when it comes to supervising the hospital.
I remember one example of her compassionate care when I called her about a family that was extremely upset about certain events that had unfolded. While I did my best at the bedside to alleviate the family's fears and concerns, they wanted to speak to whoever was in charge of the hospital. I called Lis and she came within 10 minutes to the bedside. She went into the room, sat down, and just listened to the family's concerns. She stroked the patient's forehead, as if he was her own father, and gave them as much time as they needed. It was like she had all the time in the world for them. It was a touching sight to see, and something I will never forget.
Her compassion and care for every patient and every circumstance amazes me. Together Lis and I came up with a plan that alleviated the family's concerns. Nothing is too small or too big for Lis to take care of or address. But what stood out to me even more was her exemplary service, when we had a patient admit to our unit with bugs on his person along with all of his personal belongings (i.e. clothes and shoes). When Lis was told about this patient, she was so concerned about his clothes that he 'probably saved up for months to buy,' she said. She was horrified that we might have to throw them out! A few days later, I heard a rumor around our unit that Lis had gone shopping for our patient, so I asked her to share the story.
After Lis got off work the morning this patient was admitted, from a very busy night shift, she went home to change her clothes. Then she personally came to our unit, spoke to the patient, asking permission to gather up his belongings, and then took them outside and beat all the bugs out. Lis then came back to our unit and asked to speak with our patient again. She explained the situation to him, and asked to take his clothes to a Laundromat. Lis went to the Laundromat and washed all his clothes twice so they were as clean as could be. She then went shopping for him at Walmart, purchasing new jeans, a belt, a new trifold wallet, three shirts, a coat and a stocking cap for him to have when he discharged. She did all of this after a very busy night shift as the house supervisor.
Staff are still talking about how Lis displayed exemplary service; truly going above and beyond! She sets a standard for us all to strive for! She told me when she brought it back to the patient he was so grateful and asked her "why? She said, "It's for your birthday". Lis also told me she was hoping to give him a manicure when she came back to work the next week.
Lis continues this commitment to excellence every shift I work with her. If I ever have a concern about a patient that we need to accept to our unit, she listens to my concerns and addresses them. I never feel pressured to take a patient that I'm concerned about. Her way of communicating is supportive, understanding, and trusting. Her clinical skills are clearly evident when we call her with a concern, because she validates any concerns or questions, and will always find an appropriate place for a patient or the answer to a question. She comes along side of us to do what is right for the patient…always!
Lis has personally walked down to the emergency department many times to set eyes on a patient we have concerns about, which I know is time consuming and at times inconvenient. But it has helped give us peace of mind and a trusting work relationship that cannot be measured. I absolutely trust Lis and her clinical judgment and I know our staff does as well. Lis sets the bar as high as it can go in my opinion and this hospital, our patients, and our staff are truly blessed to have her! Thank you Lis!