Tom makes it his mission to make sure patients and their families are armed with information, supported by the medical and nursing team and are fully engaged in the entire patient experience while in they are with us in the ICU. Tom initiated a unit based family visitation task force looking at ways to incorporate families and visitors in the plan of care to enhance the patient experience. He has dedicated many extra hours to 2SW in helping the team reach our goals with regards to Patient and Family Centered Care. He designed staff surveys to poll staff knowledge and satisfaction with current ICU visitation practices. With his determination and knowledge, he was able to partner with various disciplines (social work, patient services, chaplain services, child life specialist, physician and nursing leadership) to help make this project a shining success.

Tom's efforts with improving the patient experience on 2SW has led to positive changes in our family visitation practices, which have undoubtedly contributed to our recent recognition with the Hospital's 2012 Patient Centered Care Team Award. These visitation changes included opening the ICU to 24/7 visitation and child visitation.

He recently took care of a young adult who was admitted to the ICU; he did not hesitate to make sure the patient's parents had a cot in the room to stay overnight to be by their child's side. This has greatly impacted the staff because previously we did not permit any visitors to stay overnight in the ICU. Tom is interested in evidence based practice, leads by example and is committed to putting patients first.