Josh Lam
September 2021
Josh
Lam
,
RN, BSN
Emergency Department
Winchester Medical Center
Winchester
,
VA
United States
Josh was able to provide the compassion and reassurance my parents needed until I arrived.
My 82-year-old mother had to take my 83-year-old father to the hospital due to him being very short of breath when he walked. Upon arrival to the Emergency Department, they found out he had to be admitted. My parents have been married for 61 years and are very attached to each other. I had left for Arizona that morning and upon landing at the airport I checked my cellphone to find a message from Josh stating he was a nurse at the Winchester Medical Center Emergency Department (ED) and that he was helping my parents contact me. They are technology-challenged and do not understand how to text on the phone. He explained my father was in the ED, was having an exacerbation of CHF, was put on oxygen (oxygen was 95%), he was given Lasix, was being admitted, and to please call the ED at the following number and ask to speak to Josh.
I was shaken up when I called. I told him I was their primary caretaker and took them to all of their appointments, spoke to their doctors, and that they depended on me for everything. Josh assured me they were being taken good care of and took the phone to my parents so I could speak to them. My parents stated Josh was taking excellent care of them. There were no beds and my father had to stay in the ED until a bed was available. I told them I would get the next flight available back. Josh assured me he would take good care of them and keep me informed of any changes. My father finally got a room when it was time for Josh to go home. My parents were concerned that he was leaving because of the outstanding care and attention he was giving them. Josh told them he would stay and help them get admitted to his room and assure them they were settled before he left. He personally escorted them to the floor. Josh told my parents he takes care of his patients as if they were his family and we are 100% true believers in this. My mother stated he was her hero that day. Josh exemplifies everything the award stands for. Josh was able to provide the compassion and reassurance my parents needed until I arrived.
I was shaken up when I called. I told him I was their primary caretaker and took them to all of their appointments, spoke to their doctors, and that they depended on me for everything. Josh assured me they were being taken good care of and took the phone to my parents so I could speak to them. My parents stated Josh was taking excellent care of them. There were no beds and my father had to stay in the ED until a bed was available. I told them I would get the next flight available back. Josh assured me he would take good care of them and keep me informed of any changes. My father finally got a room when it was time for Josh to go home. My parents were concerned that he was leaving because of the outstanding care and attention he was giving them. Josh told them he would stay and help them get admitted to his room and assure them they were settled before he left. He personally escorted them to the floor. Josh told my parents he takes care of his patients as if they were his family and we are 100% true believers in this. My mother stated he was her hero that day. Josh exemplifies everything the award stands for. Josh was able to provide the compassion and reassurance my parents needed until I arrived.