Our unit was submitting a civilian trauma who was primarily Spanish speaking. She was admitted after a motor vehicle accident where the driver of the car, the patient's friend, had not survived.
Knowing how difficult this situation was, and how isolating it can be to not speak the language of your caregivers, LT Michelle Torres volunteered, without a moment's hesitation, to stay and help get the patient settled, because she speaks Spanish too.
She stayed for 2 hours after her shift, getting the patient settled and cleaned up, making sure she cleaned her friend's blood from under her fingernails, brushing the glass out of her hair, and listening to her story. She made sure the patient felt comfortable and heard. She played music the patient would like and helped translate for the doctor and the other nurses. She saw an opportunity where she was needed and she stepped up!
LT Torres reminded us all what selfless service and truly exceptional care look like.