I would like to nominate Tammi Landis for this award because of her genuine kindness and compassion to all patients but recently one in particular when a patient was given 6 months to live.
We had a patient who had been with us in the PICU on and off for the past year or so. He was first diagnosed with a brain tumor and following his surgery to remove the tumor he also ended up with a tracheosotomy. He came back to us 5 weeks ago with an upper respiratory infection. Throughout his hospital stay we noticed that he stopped moving his lower extremities. Following MRI, he was found to have a tumor on his spinal cord and was given 6 months to live. Over the next 5 weeks, Tammi worked with his mother and Make a Wish to plan a trip to Disney World. During that time, Tammi found a sponsor who was her neighbor to pay for this trip.
His mother wanted to take him home and make him as comfortable as possible until he passed. He only lasted at home for one day before she had to bring him back for apnea. His last stay was 5 days and during that time Tammi came in to the unit on her off day to spend time with him and his mother. She bought in a gift for mom and movies for the patient. Later that night, he passed away and his mother's only request before he was taken to the morgue was for the charge nurse to call Tammi so she could come in to see him before his body was taken. Unfortunately, Tammi did not make here in time but she kept in contact with mom and attended his viewing. I feel she has gone well above her duty as a nurse to help a family and patient in their time of need and last days.