I have been a medical psychologist at Tampa General with the transplant/VAD team for nearly 25 years. 2-3 weeks ago we admitted one of my patients, an elderly woman with an LVAD. Both she and her husband, living in Orlando, had tested positive for coronavirus. Her husband was sent to an Orlando hospital and she was transported to Tampa General due to specialty care required given her LVAD. She was quickly admitted to the CCU and intubated. Gabby volunteered to work with her through most of her stay. Today, with heavy hearts we withdrew life support. Six of this patient's seven grown children were able to Skype in and be a part of their mother's passing. Gabby, who had worked with the patient from the beginning deserves special recognition. She is a young nurse who did a simply amazing job of making this family feel like they were in the room with her at their worst hours as her LVAD and vent were turn off and she passed away peacefully.
Gabby took the time to set up virtual phone calls with the patient and her children several times during her stay. Gabby took her time, allowed the family to have their time and despite the situation made them feel present. While this was a difficult situation with the isolation of the patient, Gabby and the nursing team on the unit worked with the family to provide an opportunity to say their goodbyes.