It does my heart good to see a nurse make an impact on a patient for the sole purpose of trying to help a patient and the supporting family feel better. The extension that has gone out to the patient Ms. P has been phenomenal. DeNina Willard is a nurse who works on 7BW. She cared for Ms. P. In her holistic assessment she realized that at that time the patient had been in the hospital for approximately one month. This patient had survived a code, an emergent open heart bypass surgery followed by complications of a CVA. Ms. P can no longer speak for herself or make requests. With agitation or frustration she would moan. However it required frequent assessments and intervention to ensure she was comfortable.

This African American Woman's hair was becoming increasingly matted to a point of a dreaded state and was starting to come out in some areas of her head. DeNina planned to care for the patient's hair care. The next day when she cared for the patient she brushed out the patient's hair. With products she purchased and some brought from home DeNina, with the assistance of 2 other staff members that she recruited, washed, conditioned, untangled, braided and oiled the scalp of Ms. P. This was a 2 hour venture.

The patient, who was one that moaned frequently, was able to relax under Nurse Willard's ministrations. Ms. P began to articulate her pleasure and was able to participate ie; holding head back during the washing. She was able to sleep deeply for a few hours afterward. The patient's family member came in and was so deeply moved by DeNina's act of kindness that he cried.

It was DeNina's holistic thinking that made such an impact on the patient, her family support, as well as the staff. It was such a dramatic change in the patient's overall outward appearance that others were inspired to go the extra mile.

Thank you DeNina Willard, for your dedication, diligence and benevolence. You are greatly appreciated.