Vaishali has always performed her duties putting each individual patient at the center of her focus. I would like to share three examples that exemplify the impact she has on her patients, not just medically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.
We had a newly diagnosed cancer patient that was going to receive an in-depth chemotherapy regime. This chemotherapy regime was going to require the patient to stay in the hospital for up to a month and it is vital for the nurses to create a situation where the patients and their loved one feel safe and cared for. During this patient’s stay, he wanted to get married here at the hospital because of all the unknowns that may happen. He asked Vaishali Bhide and Lisa Helmer to be witness his marriage because he had a bond with them and knew they were doing everything to provide excellent care. The excellent care that was provided created a situation in which the patient felt it was appropriate for these two to witness his special event.
We had another patient with terminal cancer whose family all live in Mexico. The patient wished to return to Mexico to die in the company of his wife and family. Vaishali rallied the staff and physicians on Med/Onc to give donations to help fulfill this man's dying wish. With the help of many, including the patient's employer they were able to generate enough money to give him a first class ticket to Mexico to be with his family. This is an example of times when modern medicine has run its course so Vaishali found another way to treat the mind and spirit of her patient.
The third example dates back three years, but the family member just recently shared it with me. I wanted to include the individual's letter as it once again demonstrates the exemplary care and caring that Vaishali provides and the lasting impact she has on patients and their families year after year.
Three years ago I received a call at home from Vaishali Bhide. She told me she had a patient who was a relative of mine and that he had given her permission to call me. He was my uncle; single, retired, an alcoholic, and estranged from his children. We as his family had been concerned that if something ever happened to him, no one would know, so I was relieved to receive the call. Vaishali had taken care of him several times and had noticed he had no one who came to see him. She began asking him if there was anyone, any family she could call. He kept putting her off, saying he didn't want to impose or worry anyone, but Vaishali was persistent and finally he said she could call his niece, me. We immediately drove to the hospital with my 96 year old Grandmother, his mother, who lived with me. He was so thankful to have family come. I notified the rest of his family, including his daughter whom he had not seen in 30 years. I started talking to him about calling her. He was hesitant and expressed that he was scared because he said he had let her down, not been a good dad and he couldn't understand why she would want to talk to him. I kept working on him and he finally agreed. I quickly dialed the number and he spent the next hour reconnecting with his daughter. After that phone call he said, "Wow! I talked to my daughter!" He could not stop expressing his thanks for getting him in touch with his daughter after all these years. Over the next few weeks as his condition worsened, we were able to be there as support to him. His daughter came and stayed at his bedside until he passed away. Just before his death he was surrounded by family; his mother, sister, brother, daughter, nieces and nephews. None of this would have happened if it hadn't been for a caring, compassionate and persistent nurse, Vaishali Bhide. We are so thankful that she wouldn't give up on this lonely, sick man.
These examples are only a few of the reasons Vaishali receives the DAISY Award. The type of caring that Vaishali gives to her patients on a daily basis is something that exemplifies the caring side of nursing. Vaishali does not do this for recognition but because she cares about her patients holistic care. It is an honor to work with someone that cares as much as she does.