I worked with Amanda, as we were staff RNs together in the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab department, for many years. Amanda’s strong work ethic, dedication, and compassion for her patients continue to shine forth today in her role as a Registered Nurse Diabetic Educator. Recently, Amanda had a patient call her, in distress, stating his blood sugar was only 50 and he was alone as his wife was out-of-town. Amanda was diligent and composed about acquiring more information, even though his answers were short and abrupt. She instructed him to take his Glucose tablets. Unfortunately for this gentleman, he already had and that is what bumped his blood sugar up to 50! She then asked him if he could safely stand and walk to the kitchen. In feeling confident that he could, she then told him to get out some sugar, put it on his tongue, and swallow, and repeat. She stayed with him on the phone for a lengthy time. His next blood sugar check had increased to 68. She continued staying on the line with him until she was certain this patient was back to a safe blood sugar level and fully coherent and amenable.

They discussed at length his Insulin pump settings, prior blood sugars, nutritional intake, and his overall feeling of well-being in trying to troubleshoot the problem. An evening call came from this patient’s wife, as his sugar was dropping once again. Amanda, once more, expertly talked them through the recovery process from his low levels. Amanda was off work the next three days but spent an extended amount of time on the phone, each day, with this patient as he still struggled with low blood sugars. She also spoke with the Insulin pump representative every day in trying to determine if it was a pump malfunction occurring. It was decided to discontinue the pump for the time being and she expertly instructed the patient on vial and syringe injections in the meantime.

She spoke to this patient’s Primary-care provider first thing Monday morning suggesting that the patient may be going through a “honeymoon” phase and asked if a C-peptide lab could be drawn to indeed see if his body was once again producing insulin. It makes no difference to Amanda, whether she is on the clock or not, in providing excellent and prompt care to her patients. She will do nothing less than provide the best care in working toward positive individual patient outcomes.

A second incident that displays this also occurred recently and is about a Spanish-speaking female diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. This patient was very frightened with this diagnosis and possible harm to her unborn child. The patient neglected her Nephrology appointment prior to seeing Amanda, as she did not understand why she had to visit them both. Amanda spent an hour-and-a-half with her providing education on the disease process, possible risks, and management of it. She also convinced the patient that she had to make and keep a new appointment with her Nephrologist so insulin could be ordered. The mom-to-be asked Amanda if she could come back to have Amanda help her with her first injection. She felt comfortable and safe in Amanda’s care.

Unfortunately, the insulin ordered through the pharmacy was too expensive, but the Diabetes Center was able to get her the insulin she needed. She did come back and see the Diabetic Education staff who provided professional expert care in educating her on how to give the injection; she was able to return demonstrate giving her own injection with minimal assistance. Amanda will continue to follow her throughout her pregnancy and hopefully, with Amanda’s help, she will have a successful pregnancy with minimal complications.

These are just two of the countless times that Amanda has gone above and beyond in providing the utmost care and compassion to her patients and extending to them her healing touch. She consistently lives the FOCUS values in her daily work with her patients. This extraordinary care is a standard for every patient that Amanda encounters and that is why I feel she is more than deserving of this award – she is truly an extraordinary nurse.