When we think of adjectives that describe our nurses so many come to mind: attentive, caring, empathetic, energetic, friendly, knowledgeable, optimistic, compassionate, and the list goes on. When thinking through this list a nurse by the name of Jennifer Flowers comes to mind. Jennifer has gone above and beyond to meet the needs of the homeless population in our local community. Jennifer supplies care bags to those in need through Atrium Cleveland's Emergency Department, Shelby Police Department, and The Totally Free Clothing Store. If you ask Jennifer why she is so passionate about this work, she will share that in her tenure of nearly 15 years as an ED nurse, at times it has been difficult to find placement in a shelter. There are also times that a patient does not wish to go to a shelter.

Jennifer shares, “to have to send someone back out into cold, rain, snow, excessive heat, without a single resource is a feeling that’s difficult to describe. The last time I had to do this, I promised myself and the young man that it would be the last time it ever happened.” Jennifer reaches out to teammates at Atrium Health Cleveland and the local community to help supply these care bags. Jennifer has seen a ton of support from local classrooms and churches who have been excited to take part. It is truly phenomenal to see the impact she is making to both our patients and community.

A quote comes to mind when I think of this story, “When you’re a nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life, or a life will touch yours.” —Unknown. In this case, I would certainly say that Jennifer’s life has been touched, but she has also touched so many!