Nancy Lemere
March 2019
Nancy
Lemere
,
RN
Nuero-Trauma ICU
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Worcester
,
MA
United States
In October, our ICU struggled with a difficult loss. Our patient was a 19-year-old girl who had been injured while seat-belted in the backseat of her grandparent's car. She lost her life, through no fault of her own, or any of her family. They were justifiably devastated. This young girl was starting art school and had her entire life ahead of her. In addition to our staff being actively engaged in aggressive care of this patient, the family was heartfelt and genuine. The entire situation was heart-breaking. From the Licox monitor placement in the ED, to emergency brain surgery, to managing unstable vital signs, and ultimately unsuccessfully coding her, the entire team of 2 lakeside worked together to save this young girl, while providing compassionate care to the family.
Nancy Lemere was our staff Resource Nurse on this day. She was invaluable with her assistance and support to the unit that night, but more importantly, she was absolutely amazing with the family and the patient's mother especially. The patient's mother and stepfather came in during the code, and mom dropped to the ground. Nancy was by her side, consoling her, encouraging her, and showing her the compassion that any of us would have wished for. Nancy encouraged the mom to get up, be with her daughter, hold her hand, and have her time. None of this was fair, it was an emotional day for all healthcare providers involved, but that did not compare to the emotional turmoil the family was feeling. Nancy was there for us, the staff, and there for the family. Her level of honest compassion was incredible, she showed what any of us strive to be. All her efforts were appreciated by the team and the family. She was an asset to all of us that sad October evening.
The family also shared: "Nancy was compassionate and kind. She helped me face the impending death of my beautiful daughter with grace. The whole unit did everything they could to save my girl. They tried so hard to keep her with us. Nancy held my hands and cried with me and assured me that my daughter was treated with respect and dignity. She helped me gather the courage to say my final goodbyes. I will never forget her kindness or how hard everyone tried to save my daughter. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Nancy Lemere was our staff Resource Nurse on this day. She was invaluable with her assistance and support to the unit that night, but more importantly, she was absolutely amazing with the family and the patient's mother especially. The patient's mother and stepfather came in during the code, and mom dropped to the ground. Nancy was by her side, consoling her, encouraging her, and showing her the compassion that any of us would have wished for. Nancy encouraged the mom to get up, be with her daughter, hold her hand, and have her time. None of this was fair, it was an emotional day for all healthcare providers involved, but that did not compare to the emotional turmoil the family was feeling. Nancy was there for us, the staff, and there for the family. Her level of honest compassion was incredible, she showed what any of us strive to be. All her efforts were appreciated by the team and the family. She was an asset to all of us that sad October evening.
The family also shared: "Nancy was compassionate and kind. She helped me face the impending death of my beautiful daughter with grace. The whole unit did everything they could to save my girl. They tried so hard to keep her with us. Nancy held my hands and cried with me and assured me that my daughter was treated with respect and dignity. She helped me gather the courage to say my final goodbyes. I will never forget her kindness or how hard everyone tried to save my daughter. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."