During Melissa's shift, she came to me with a unique idea explaining that her patient was feeling very down about the fact that we, unfortunately, cannot have visitation right now from any chaplain or clergy person (due to COVID-19). Ironically, she learned while talking to her patient in another room that same day that he is a pastor. Melissa had the idea to bring these patients together.
After she talked to each patient and ensured their willingness and openness to this idea, they were both 100% on board and wanted to meet. In the safest way possible (with masks and social distancing), she brought her two patients together in one of their rooms and they talked for hours! She said they both were delighted to have met, helped each other, and prayed together and it was "just what we both needed right now". They exchanged numbers and planned to keep in touch and have since been calling each other on their room phones to check up on each other in their respective hospital beds.
Melissa didn't have to go out of her way to help these patients out with such a great idea. She knew that it would help them, and she understands how important it is to have a friend and support system while in the hospital. Kudos to Melissa!