My mother was a patient at Swedish Ballard between June and October 2021. Mom has vascular dementia with an associated behavior disorder which caused a delay in her placement in a Medicaid memory care facility. During mom's stay, Erica Sperring cared for mom on a regular basis. Erica regularly demonstrated Swedish Hospital's values. Erica always took time with mom, even when nobody was around to see, to provide compassionate care. She talked with mom regularly and became known as 'The L whisperer' by her colleagues. I witnessed this too when visiting, through dialog with mom, and realized that Erica has a special gift for people like mom who need extra compassion and dignity. Mom does not remember much, but she always remembered her interactions with Erica. For example, mom's hair was in need of a trim (she had been hospitalized beginning in May 2021 before being transferred to Ballard). Erica is obviously not a beautician, which is irrelevant. Erica provided mom with some needed dignity when all mom wanted was a hair trim. To me, this is a terrific example of also providing excellence in service, even though she really had no obligation to do it. It also demonstrates how much integrity Erica possesses. As a person and professional, a person’s integrity is demonstrated passively when people are not watching--and Erica regularly demonstrated her commitment to Swedish's core values even when nobody was watching or present. I know Erica is not alone in 4 South either. The majority of the staff in that unit demonstrate Swedish's core values too. The difference is that Erica stands out as a true leader and a DAISY Nurse. 

Note: This is Erica's 2nd DAISY Award!