May 2022
Panicha "PK"
Kittipha
,
MSN, APRN, PHN, AGACNP-BC, CCRN
Advanced Practice Services - Adults
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Loma Linda
,
CA
United States
He is never too busy to do his job.
Many of us choose nursing as a profession because we want to help people - a standard catchphrase heard by those we work with. Few are truly called to the profession because of their open acceptance of humanity. Even fewer have experienced pain firsthand to know the nurses healing hands can touch a broken soul and emit love through the power of their touch. PK is that nurse. I have two examples of where PK stepped in and provided care not only to the patient but to the nursing staff on the floor. The first patient was a difficult case due to injuries and follow-up care. It appeared that several things could have been smoother in the transition for this patient, yet days dragged on, and it felt like nobody was truly this patient’s advocate. PK stepped in. He reviewed the chart at length on a busy day; he messaged all the various providers who were involved in the case and talked to the insurance medical director to give them a clearer picture of the patient. All because it mattered to him. He came to my office and said, “I would want someone to advocate for my loved ones, so I’m doing it for this patient. It’s the right thing to do.” He checked in on the patient during a holiday weekend and was relentless in his pursuit to make sure this patient received the best of Loma Linda. That is having a love and acceptance of humanity. A nutritional tech checked in on the second patient to take his meal order and noticed that something was amiss. Knowing the signs of a potential stroke, the tech ran out and notified PK, who came running into the room. He didn’t stop or hesitate because it wasn’t his patient; that didn’t matter. He immediately took control of the care of this patient, and within 30 minutes, the patient was in route with the stroke team for immediate intervention. He did what needed to be done and, because of it, gave this patient a fighting chance. He is the first to lend a hand, the first to jump in with advice or educate the nurses, and he will go above and beyond for any patient because he loves all of humanity. He accepts all of humanity, and he will sacrifice for humanity. He is never too busy to do his job. During the height of COVID, he worked extra shifts as a bedside nurse in the ICU because he knew the team needed support and the patients needed care. We are beyond blessed to have PK on staff at Loma Linda University Health, and without question, he is a living, breathing example of what the DAISY Award truly signifies.