SSG Maloon
December 2021
Patrick
Maloon
,
LPN
Pediatrics
Tripler Army Medical Center
Honolulu
,
HI
United States
SSG Maloon has earned the trust of the patient and her spouse, and the admiration of the entire team.
I have had the opportunity to work with SSG Maloon during several COVID-19 vaccine mass vaccination events. He has consistently demonstrated outstanding and expert clinical acumen, teamwork, compassion, and enthusiasm. His outstanding care for one patient stands out in my mind:
A soldier presented for her COVID-19 vaccine. She was very anxious and afraid. She shared that she has a history of anxiety, and has been suffering from prominent episodes of unprovoked panic for several years. She expressed concern about the COVID-19 vaccine, but specifically desired to proceed with the vaccination. Immediately upon receipt of the vaccine, she began to experience profound anxiety and distress. She was visibly agitated, upset, and trembling. SSG Maloon immediately recognized and compassionately responded to the patient’s distress. He considered potential etiologies, including an adverse vaccine reaction, and expertly and thoughtfully assessed the patient.
At her request, he obtained a glass of water and an ice pack for the patient and phoned the patient’s spouse. He was consistently present, calming, and reassuring to the patient. He galvanized other members of the team to ensure support for the patient. SSG Maloon thoughtfully asked the patient about her family and quickly recognized that the patient benefitted from thinking and speaking about her children. The patient visibly relaxed when sharing anecdotes about her family with SSG Maloon. When the patient’s spouse arrived, the patient’s spouse was initially concerned about the patient and brusque with the medical team. SSG Maloon rapidly disarmed the patient’s spouse by articulating and demonstrating his care for the patient. He ensured that the patient’s spouse was updated on her care to date, and seamlessly engaged the patient’s spouse in both her assessment and ongoing care – clearly demonstrating both his clinical expertise and deft handling of a potential conflict.
SSG Maloon remained by the patient’s side until her symptoms had resolved. SSG Maloon demonstrated compassion, organization, critical thinking, grace under pressure, and expert communication. He made a meaningful connection with the patient (and her spouse). SSG Maloon has earned the trust of the patient and her spouse, and the admiration of the entire team.
A soldier presented for her COVID-19 vaccine. She was very anxious and afraid. She shared that she has a history of anxiety, and has been suffering from prominent episodes of unprovoked panic for several years. She expressed concern about the COVID-19 vaccine, but specifically desired to proceed with the vaccination. Immediately upon receipt of the vaccine, she began to experience profound anxiety and distress. She was visibly agitated, upset, and trembling. SSG Maloon immediately recognized and compassionately responded to the patient’s distress. He considered potential etiologies, including an adverse vaccine reaction, and expertly and thoughtfully assessed the patient.
At her request, he obtained a glass of water and an ice pack for the patient and phoned the patient’s spouse. He was consistently present, calming, and reassuring to the patient. He galvanized other members of the team to ensure support for the patient. SSG Maloon thoughtfully asked the patient about her family and quickly recognized that the patient benefitted from thinking and speaking about her children. The patient visibly relaxed when sharing anecdotes about her family with SSG Maloon. When the patient’s spouse arrived, the patient’s spouse was initially concerned about the patient and brusque with the medical team. SSG Maloon rapidly disarmed the patient’s spouse by articulating and demonstrating his care for the patient. He ensured that the patient’s spouse was updated on her care to date, and seamlessly engaged the patient’s spouse in both her assessment and ongoing care – clearly demonstrating both his clinical expertise and deft handling of a potential conflict.
SSG Maloon remained by the patient’s side until her symptoms had resolved. SSG Maloon demonstrated compassion, organization, critical thinking, grace under pressure, and expert communication. He made a meaningful connection with the patient (and her spouse). SSG Maloon has earned the trust of the patient and her spouse, and the admiration of the entire team.