I wanted to highlight one of the ER nurses whom I have now worked with several times and seen go above and beyond with her compassionate care. During these very challenging past few months, I was helping out in the ER and had the opportunity to work alongside Devan on several occasions. I was so taken with the kindness and compassion that she showed to all of those that she cared for. I worked a trauma with her in a difficult setting where a forensic patient was very loud and aggressive. Devan handled the situation with professionalism and ease and spent some time trying to figure out where this patient's anger was coming from. Rather than dismissing, she took the time to hear the patient’s frustrations. She quickly realized that the patient was having a hard time hearing because of an injury to the patient’s ear and this was where most of the patient’s anxiety was coming from.

Devan moved her workstation to the other side of the bed so that the patient could hear her with their good ear while she explained things. She connected with the patient quickly and the patient trusted her and became a very agreeable, kind patient. I was so impressed with her clinical skills and her ability to connect with this patient.

A few days later I saw her sitting at the nurse's desk looking visibly frustrated. She was obviously juggling taking care of multiple sick patients but was also trying to make several phone calls. I thought maybe I could take something off of her plate so I asked her if I could help in any way. She explained that she was calling multiple pharmacies/stores trying to track down some denture cream. One of her patients who had been on hold in the ER for several days had finally been able to locate her dentures and she was so excited to eat a real meal but didn't have any denture cream to make this possible.

Devan had been calling multiple places trying to find some and then was hoping that she could clock out on her lunch break and run to the store to purchase it for this patient. I told her I was happy to go and get the denture cream for her and when I returned with it, she was so overwhelmed with joy and was thrilled to assist this elderly patient with having this anticipated meal. I have seen Devan go above and beyond to make a connection with her patients so many times. She is an exceptional part of the Baptist team and exemplifies our values and mission every time she is here.