Alison Pollard is one of the most compassionate nurses I know. I have had the privilege of working with her for 3 years. Ali exemplifies our vision statement of giving care to her patients that she would want for herself and her family members. Not only does Ali work many days of overtime each week, every day she comes in with a positive attitude and a smile.
Ali is a real patient advocate. We had a patient in the MICU who was 24 weeks pregnant and being treated for high blood pressure. The OB doctors were not sure if the baby would survive if she delivered, but they knew that was the only cure for her high blood pressure. This patient only had one visitor, but she wasn’t able to be here much of the time. When the doctors decided they had to do a c-section to deliver the baby, the patient, who was young herself, was very scared. Ali asked another MICU RN if she would watch her other patient, and Ali went to the OR with the patient. This is just one of the many selfless acts by Ali.
After the c-section, the mother wanted to visit her baby in the NICU. Ali got permission from the doctors and took the patient up to visit her baby and spend some quality time with him. Of course Ali had to go with the patient to monitor her since she was still in the ICU. Ali gave this patient the feeling that someone cares about her and her baby which is priceless.
There are not enough good words to describe the amazing nursing by Ali. She gives her patients a voice when they don’t have one for themselves and cares for not only the body but the mind and spirit.