Often you hear the phrases such as "nurses are heroes", "nurses are hard workers", and "nurses are so smart", but most often heard characteristic of nurses are that they are the most understanding and most compassionate people on earth. Not only are nurses equipped with a vast knowledge of medicine, but nurses also care for patients holistically. Donna Marzullo is not only one of the hardest working nurses she is also the most compassionate and thoughtful human being.
Donna has always had the biggest heart. Since she began working on PSUS, many years ago, Donna and her two daughters have gone out of their way to ensure that the patients of PSUS have a wonderful holiday. Knowing that our patients will have to spend Christmas in the hospital made Donna and her daughters very sad. They decided that they wanted to do something to cheer them up! Every year, Donna and her 2 daughters buy the materials to make blankets using money that comes out of their own pockets. They make 17 handmade fleece blankets and come into Advocate Christ Medical Center on Christmas to deliver them to each patient. Donna and her daughters take the time to wish each patient a "Merry Christmas" as they place their warm, fuzzy new blanket over them. While rounding on patients and their families, many verbalized how receiving a Christmas gift not only made them feel good but it also made them feel like they were spending Christmas at home. Many people had tears in their eyes. Patients were amazed by Donna and her daughters and so grateful for their thoughtfulness and generosity.
Another time, Donna was caring for a very confused patient who was impulsive. Donna and her fellow nurse came up with a clever way to safely distract the patient. They gave the patient a "job" for the day. The patient was asked to "stamp" a few envelopes for PSUS. He also carefully folded linen for the staff. While believing they did an excellent job redirecting a patient in a safe manner, little did they know that it would backfire on them. At the end of the patient's "shift," the patient asked for his payment! Donna, out of the goodness of her heart, paid the patient $10 out of her own pocket. She made him very happy and told him that he was one of her best employees. The look of the confused patient's face was priceless. He was very proud of the great job he did. Again, this was just another "Donna" thing to do from her very caring heart.
In her most recent act of kindness, Donna bought her patient lunch, using her own money. This patient had recently received a devastating diagnosis and was not coping well. The patient was also very upset as he said the kitchen continued to send him trays that he did not order. Donna took the patient's order and bought him lunch from the cafeteria. The patient and his wife were so incredibly thankful for Donna. The wife stated that she was so grateful that Donna bought her husband lunch and that this small act of caring meant more than she could ever know. The patient's wife stated, "Knowing that Donna is caring for my husband, I can now go home for the night and can sleep peacefully in my bed knowing that my husband is well taken care of."
Patients, families, peers, and physicians go on and on about how wonderful Donna is and how her heart is bursting with love. She is a team player and an amazing, compassionate nurse. Donna cares for her patients' minds, bodies, and souls. Donna exhibits empathy in all situations and truly cares about each and every patient she cares for. She is an outstanding role model for the nursing profession!
Note: This is Donna's 2nd DAISY Award!