On this night, Courtney was the charge nurse in the Trauma-Neuro Critical Care unit. We admitted a young female after she was shot. While she was thankfully not seriously injured, she informed us that she had an infant whom she was currently breastfeeding. The patient was concerned because her baby was exclusively breastfed and she wondered how she would provide nutrition for her baby now that she is in the hospital. Courtney immediately recognized what she needed to do, and she stepped into action. While we got mom settled in the unit, Courtney reached out to our central supply representative to inquire about a breast pump. They immediately sent the disposable parts, but we lacked the actual pump. She then reached out to the house manager. He immediately sent security to retrieve a pump from Children’s Hospital and it arrived within the hour. The nurse on duty stepped in to work with the trauma physician team to ensure that lactation-safe medications were ordered, as well as researching the safety of the medications already administered. The doctor stepped in to work with the patient on the plan of care with her breastfeeding needs in mind, as well as educate her about medication safety. The patient was pumping milk and much more comfortable within a couple of hours.

The thoughtfulness and quick action of these two nurses to provide care beyond her medical needs exemplify the core values of service, reverence and love for all life, and humility. This is just one example of how Courtney functions every day. I am proud to work alongside her.