In many ways, a nurse fulfills several important roles, and Maryann is a stellar example of this observation. I have worked with her for over three decades, and each day I see the positive impact she has on our patients and staff.
Maryann's keen intelligence helps her (and consequently all of us) in a variety of situations. She applies this intelligence as she works to solve problems and address patient needs on a daily basis. This "Detective" mindset has served our floor (and specific patients) very well in many different instances. Once for example, a patient was experiencing significant distress. No one could discover the reason for this situation until Maryann decided to investigate. She went back through the patient's history and discovered that a certain medication had been withheld for a particular medical reason, but never reimplemented. Maryann brought this situation to the attention of the physician in charge, and the medication was reintroduced into the patient's regimen. Within a short period of time, the patient began to improve and the overall outcome was greatly enhanced because of her important discovery.
Maryann is universally respected and admired throughout our entire unit. This is because she always carries herself with poise and dignity. She has the extraordinary ability to remain calm, no matter how chaotic the situation may be out on the floor. The staff knows that they can count on her to help us pull through any event, and that is indeed an indispensable quality to possess. Unit Secretaries, Housekeepers, Nurses Aides, Nurses, and Physicians all hold Maryann in the highest regard. It is very reassuring to witness the confidence which our top Doctors have in her. When folks arrive on the floor and see that Maryann is on duty, nods of approval and smiles are not far behind.
One tremendously memorable thing which she did has stayed in mind for quite a while. Prior to Veteran's Day, Maryann took the time to find out which individuals on the unit had served in the United States Military. She went out and bought American flags for each and every one of these people. On Veterans Day, she went from room to room distributing these flags and thanking each person for their service. I wish that every associate at Porter could have seen the looks of gratitude and joy on the faces of those Veterans when she was giving out those flags. It was a genuinely beautiful moment and I know how much it truly meant to those individuals.
Here is another episode which I recall with admiration and awe. Some years back, a colleague of ours on IMCU passed away after a battle with cancer. At the time of her death, this individual's two daughters were still quite young. Maryann stepped into their lives and provided them with love, comfort, and care for many successive years. She still maintains contact with these young women and I know that they will always appreciate everything she has done for them. What can a person say about someone who takes the time to do something like that? One can say she is compassionate, and one can express gratitude to know somebody like Maryann.
One of the biggest compliments a nurse can receive reads as follows: "If I got sick, or if one of my family members became ill, YOU are the person I would like to have taking care of us." A few years back, I did become ill. I was diagnosed with uterine cancer and received a referral to have the procedure performed at the University of Chicago Medical Center. It is easy to imagine the fear and trepidation which was going through my mind. Would the surgery be successful? What kind of care would I receive at this facility? I have worked at Porter for close to 40 years, but other than being born, I had never been treated in a hospital in my lifetime. I shared some of these concerns with my friend Maryann. She decided to make the situation better. She went with me. During the 7 hour procedure, she sat with my husband, son, and daughter and talked to them at length about every topic under the sun. She brought them cookies she had baked. She spent the entire night in the room with me after my surgery. She served as my patient advocate during the entire event. She walked with me in the hallways to be sure that I was on the road to recovery. It is difficult for me to explain just what this gesture meant to my family and me.
Recently, Maryann's mom passed away. For years, she had worked the weekend shift so that she could spend time with her as she became increasingly dependent. She showed her mother the same type of love and concern which I have seen her show to her patients, their families, and her colleagues for more than 30 years. It has been an honor to know and work with Maryann during this time frame.