Samantha Budd was so attentive to my 95-year-old mother's needs as a Covid pneumonia patient. The majority of her 10-day stay was spent in isolation on the 2nd floor South. My sister and I, along with my mother, went through so many ups and downs, hoping for improvement while seeing a steady decline in her lung condition. Cognitively, my mother seemed to grown sharper and less confused toward the end. She seemed "herself" completely, and that was what made it so hard to let her go.
Samantha spent the time with me explaining the need to clarify goals that aligned with Mom's worsening health as we were now considering fewer options. She listened attentively as if I were the most important person in Samantha's busy schedule, answered every question in a calm and patient way, which helped me, as a result, be able to have an in-depth talk with my mother about her upcoming death as her lungs were not recuperating.
Samantha also was chosen to be there at my mother's passing by the Palliative care doctor and Samantha worked so well with the doctor in making Mom comfortable in the few minutes she had remaining. It was a painful and difficult moment for all of us after trying so long, but Samantha's presence throughout the whole journey made us feel the support we needed to go through the last moments together. Samantha is an exemplary nurse. Samantha is quiet, firm, and genuine, addressing hard issues with respect to our opinions, but adding the professional wisdom of her position to give understanding where and when we needed it. Samantha ended up right in the middle of our struggles and decisions because she was responsible enough to be honest with us and compassionate enough to stay involved, using her nursing skills for my Mom. Samantha's personality stabilizes the situation and I strongly feel she embodies the mission statement of HealthPark.