During COVID we had nurses come from the OR areas to assist our nurses on the COVID units. They were out of their comfort zone yet happy to assist the COVID team in any way they could, of which the COVID team will be forever grateful. One such task was making calls to family members giving them updates on our patient’s conditions. This is not the work Julie was used to or had been coming to GSH to do but due to COVID she was brought into our work environment and made such a positive difference every day she came.

Julie went above and beyond not only striking up a partnership with our nurses, reviewing patient charts, rounding with our physicians but also forging bonds with our patients and their family members. Staff had a great sense of relief when Julie came to the unit knowing they could concentrate on patient care, knowing that she would provide much-needed information to worried relatives.

Our patients also appreciated her visits and the encouragement she gave them, they also appreciated the time she would spend on zoom calls between them and their families.

Julie was instrumental in allowing one of our patients and his family to join in their last zoom visit and conversation. Seeing the patient comfortable and resting on the unit alleviated the family stress and guilt for not being able to be with their loved one. The calming, loving words from the family soothed and relaxed the very sick patient. Soon after this call was made, this patient comfortably breathed his last breath with our staff members with him.