May 2014
Chrissie
Ochmanowicz
,
RN
Oncology
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia
,
PA
United States
Nomination #1 - Submitted by Patient's Father
Very professional, Chrissie took care of my son from the day that he was diagnosed until the day he left us. Please, Please, Please, she deserves to be honored, she is the best nurse. Please do it for my son, he would be so happy knowing that she received this award.
Nomination #2 - Submitted by her Nurse Manager
I am privileged to be able to send a nomination to you for Chrissie Ochmanowicz, a nurse on the inpatient Oncology unit. In addition to the form that was completed by the father of a patient (above), I am including a nomination from the nurse practitioner involved in the child's care.
As you read the father's nomination, what you won't see is an explanation of how and when he completed the form, and I think it is important for you to have this information. The child was cared for by the Oncology team since July of 2013, and he died on April 24, 2014. His father's nomination was written on that date. After his son died, he spent time with his wife in his room saying goodbye to their beloved son. He contacted the funeral home, and stayed with him until he left the unit. He then requested a DAISY nomination form, and patiently waited until one was given to him.
He then took the time to complete every last line of that form, and to struggle in a language that is not his own to convey the impact Chrissie had on his family throughout his treatment. He literally meant that Chrissie "took care of him from the day that he was diagnosed until the day he left us". In his deepest grief, his top priority was the recognition of the nurse who had made a difference in his son.
Chrissie is an exceptional nurse who will be relocating in June after her marriage. The care that she gave this patient is equal in compassion and excellence to the care she has provided to the thousands of CHOP patients for the past 16 years.
The father's letter is raw and filled with pain, yet it is a true testimony to the impact Chrissie has on families. Recognizing her with the DAISY award would be a lovely ending to her CHOP Career.
Nomination #3 - Submitted by a Nurse Practitioner
Last week, I was involved in the care of a 3 year old oncology patient as he succumbed to a progressive brain tumor. This young man was known to many of us in the oncology unit, and his admission was fraught with parental fear and distress as well as sadness throughout the staff. This change had come upon him suddenly and all that happened to him, happened fast. His family was faced with the terrifying, empty experience of watching their child slip away beyond their control. Our team walked in each day with no good news and no plan to fix the problem this time, but to keep him as comfortable as we could. He died within a few days of his hospital admission.
Through the entire process, their nurse was present. Chrissie provided the expected excellent care, but it is difficult to explain the depth to which she impacted the wellbeing of this boy and his family. She was wholly present. I found her in the room with them, just to be there with them. She gave time, compassion, and support. She helped his family get through the unspeakable loss of a child in a way that people can rarely achieve. She didn't try to fill the room with words or vacant actions. She simply answered questions, stayed nearby and cushioned them. She calmly intervened when he was having seizure like symptoms, helping ally panic, and took appropriate actions quickly and quietly. She provided an objective compassion, and I believe through her actions, she started to help them heal, even as he was just dying. I felt confident, secure and grateful that she was in that room with them.
I have always respected Chrissie "O" and her high level of competence, knowledge and aptitude for her role as a pediatric oncology nurse; however she outdid herself this time.
This example is just a highlight of how she is with all her patients. She consistently demonstrates compassion, humor, affection, and a high level of competence, and it is a great combination of characteristics.
I am honored to work with such a good soul, and wonderful nurse, and would hope for all of us in this profession to pay attention and learn from her.
Very professional, Chrissie took care of my son from the day that he was diagnosed until the day he left us. Please, Please, Please, she deserves to be honored, she is the best nurse. Please do it for my son, he would be so happy knowing that she received this award.
Nomination #2 - Submitted by her Nurse Manager
I am privileged to be able to send a nomination to you for Chrissie Ochmanowicz, a nurse on the inpatient Oncology unit. In addition to the form that was completed by the father of a patient (above), I am including a nomination from the nurse practitioner involved in the child's care.
As you read the father's nomination, what you won't see is an explanation of how and when he completed the form, and I think it is important for you to have this information. The child was cared for by the Oncology team since July of 2013, and he died on April 24, 2014. His father's nomination was written on that date. After his son died, he spent time with his wife in his room saying goodbye to their beloved son. He contacted the funeral home, and stayed with him until he left the unit. He then requested a DAISY nomination form, and patiently waited until one was given to him.
He then took the time to complete every last line of that form, and to struggle in a language that is not his own to convey the impact Chrissie had on his family throughout his treatment. He literally meant that Chrissie "took care of him from the day that he was diagnosed until the day he left us". In his deepest grief, his top priority was the recognition of the nurse who had made a difference in his son.
Chrissie is an exceptional nurse who will be relocating in June after her marriage. The care that she gave this patient is equal in compassion and excellence to the care she has provided to the thousands of CHOP patients for the past 16 years.
The father's letter is raw and filled with pain, yet it is a true testimony to the impact Chrissie has on families. Recognizing her with the DAISY award would be a lovely ending to her CHOP Career.
Nomination #3 - Submitted by a Nurse Practitioner
Last week, I was involved in the care of a 3 year old oncology patient as he succumbed to a progressive brain tumor. This young man was known to many of us in the oncology unit, and his admission was fraught with parental fear and distress as well as sadness throughout the staff. This change had come upon him suddenly and all that happened to him, happened fast. His family was faced with the terrifying, empty experience of watching their child slip away beyond their control. Our team walked in each day with no good news and no plan to fix the problem this time, but to keep him as comfortable as we could. He died within a few days of his hospital admission.
Through the entire process, their nurse was present. Chrissie provided the expected excellent care, but it is difficult to explain the depth to which she impacted the wellbeing of this boy and his family. She was wholly present. I found her in the room with them, just to be there with them. She gave time, compassion, and support. She helped his family get through the unspeakable loss of a child in a way that people can rarely achieve. She didn't try to fill the room with words or vacant actions. She simply answered questions, stayed nearby and cushioned them. She calmly intervened when he was having seizure like symptoms, helping ally panic, and took appropriate actions quickly and quietly. She provided an objective compassion, and I believe through her actions, she started to help them heal, even as he was just dying. I felt confident, secure and grateful that she was in that room with them.
I have always respected Chrissie "O" and her high level of competence, knowledge and aptitude for her role as a pediatric oncology nurse; however she outdid herself this time.
This example is just a highlight of how she is with all her patients. She consistently demonstrates compassion, humor, affection, and a high level of competence, and it is a great combination of characteristics.
I am honored to work with such a good soul, and wonderful nurse, and would hope for all of us in this profession to pay attention and learn from her.