Shawna Ayers
September 2021
Shawna
Ayers
,
BSN, RN, PCCN
Cardiovascular Progressive Care
Mercy Health Saint Mary's
Grand Rapids
,
MI
United States
Shawna spent time getting him up in the chair, gave him a bath and shaved his beard.
Shawna Ayers finds joy in creating special moments for patients and their family members. She recently was caring for a patient who had not been taking adequate care of himself for an extended period of time. Shawna cared for this patient multiple days in a row and was able to establish a connection with this patient’s daughter. The patient’s daughter lived on the east side of the state and hadn’t been able to spend time with her father because of COVID, so she wasn’t aware of the physical decline he had made. She was devastated to find out the condition he was in and wanted to make it to Grand Rapids for a visit but could not because she was a nurse working overtime.
One day that Shawna was caring for this patient, she spent time getting him up in the chair, gave him a bath and shaved his beard – something he hadn’t done in quite some time. This was a very large accomplishment with everything he had going on with his health. With the patient’s permission, Shawna suggested taking a photo of him on his phone so they could send it to his daughter. The photo showed the patient smiling, clean-shaven, and looking out the window at the beautiful cathedral across the street. This one simple act on Shawna’s part made all the difference for the patient and his daughter. The daughter was so appreciative and truly knew her father was in great hands. Thank you, Shawna, for not only going above and beyond for our patients on a regular basis but for reminding patients’ family members how important they are as well. You are a role model to so many of 8 Main and are an example of true compassion!
One day that Shawna was caring for this patient, she spent time getting him up in the chair, gave him a bath and shaved his beard – something he hadn’t done in quite some time. This was a very large accomplishment with everything he had going on with his health. With the patient’s permission, Shawna suggested taking a photo of him on his phone so they could send it to his daughter. The photo showed the patient smiling, clean-shaven, and looking out the window at the beautiful cathedral across the street. This one simple act on Shawna’s part made all the difference for the patient and his daughter. The daughter was so appreciative and truly knew her father was in great hands. Thank you, Shawna, for not only going above and beyond for our patients on a regular basis but for reminding patients’ family members how important they are as well. You are a role model to so many of 8 Main and are an example of true compassion!