Sam Anderson
October 2020
Sam
Anderson
,
RN
Critical Care Unit
Sanford USD Medical Center
Sam knew that it wasn't easy. He demonstrated compassion and care that was above and beyond what we thought possible. Sam knew that he was needed.
Recently my family and I suffered the tragedy of losing my step-father to complications of COVID-19. And although this came as a shock to us, we found comfort in the care given to him in his hours of need by an outstanding nurse, Sam.
During the darkest hours for my mother, I stepped in to field the phone calls from the nursing staff and doctors that were tending to my step-father. My first interaction with Sam was after we had received devastating information from the Nurse Practitioner that we were likely going to lose my step-father. Sam called me and told me that he was going to be in his room for the duration of his shift. Sam said that we could call my step-father's room directly if anyone wanted to speak to him even though we knew that he was sedated.
Sam's compassion to my family and me was unprecedented. No matter how many people called in to say their goodbyes, Sam was there. He knew that because of my step-father's diagnosis that no one was allowed up to his room to visit. So, Sam did everything he could to help us through a difficult time. And when it came time for us to let my step-father go, Sam assured me that he would be in the room with him the whole time, holding his hand, because he knew we couldn't.
When I called the nursing staff desk at CC2, he knew what I was going to say. And when we followed the recommendations of the practicing physicians, Sam knew that it wasn't easy. He demonstrated compassion and care that was above and beyond what we thought possible. Sam knew that he was needed. He knew my family needed him to be one of God's angels and walk with my step-father through his transition to the next life. And even though it wasn't his family, Sam cared for my step-father like he was.
To Sam and all the nursing staff of CC2:
My family and I want to say Thank You. Your jobs are more difficult than we could ever imagine. And I know that we aren't the only family dealing with this tragedy. But it's because of people like you that can make it just a little less painful for the surviving families. Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God Bless You.
During the darkest hours for my mother, I stepped in to field the phone calls from the nursing staff and doctors that were tending to my step-father. My first interaction with Sam was after we had received devastating information from the Nurse Practitioner that we were likely going to lose my step-father. Sam called me and told me that he was going to be in his room for the duration of his shift. Sam said that we could call my step-father's room directly if anyone wanted to speak to him even though we knew that he was sedated.
Sam's compassion to my family and me was unprecedented. No matter how many people called in to say their goodbyes, Sam was there. He knew that because of my step-father's diagnosis that no one was allowed up to his room to visit. So, Sam did everything he could to help us through a difficult time. And when it came time for us to let my step-father go, Sam assured me that he would be in the room with him the whole time, holding his hand, because he knew we couldn't.
When I called the nursing staff desk at CC2, he knew what I was going to say. And when we followed the recommendations of the practicing physicians, Sam knew that it wasn't easy. He demonstrated compassion and care that was above and beyond what we thought possible. Sam knew that he was needed. He knew my family needed him to be one of God's angels and walk with my step-father through his transition to the next life. And even though it wasn't his family, Sam cared for my step-father like he was.
To Sam and all the nursing staff of CC2:
My family and I want to say Thank You. Your jobs are more difficult than we could ever imagine. And I know that we aren't the only family dealing with this tragedy. But it's because of people like you that can make it just a little less painful for the surviving families. Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God Bless You.