As Marlena's colleague, I wanted to write this nomination on behalf of her patients who don't have a voice to speak up for all that she does for them. The ones who have little to no capability to communicate their needs. For Marlena, the patient always comes first.
Recently, Marlena was caring for an elderly stroke patient with expressive aphasia and a tendency towards violence. He was confused, a fall-risk, a jumper, a challenge! Rather than thinking of her difficult assignment, Marlena's approach was, "What can I do so this patient has a good day?" For the three days she was assigned to him, she calmed him by keeping him by her side in the hall as she did her charting so that he would not be alone in his room. She played Motown music for him. The resulting look on his face was priceless and his smile made all the staff smile. She talked to him as though he had no impediment and she made him laugh. She figured out how he preferred to be handled when it came to providing incontinence care, which previously caused him to be violent with staff. She focused on caring for him as a whole person rather than patient requiring as series of tasks to be completed. Marlena has inspired me and reminded me to make meaningful connections with my patients, especially the ones that are perceived to be the most difficult.