Leise Rolfe
December 2022
Leise
Rolfe
,
RN
Hospice
PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Hospice
Eugene
,
OR
United States
Leise helps her patients preserve their sense of dignity by improving their comfort and quality of life.
On her drive into work on a foggy morning, hospice nurse Leise Rolfe, RN, witnessed a multi-car crash. You may have heard about this major accident on the news, but what you may not have heard was how Leise quickly stepped up to help those injured in the crash. After seeing the incident unfold in front of her, Leise stopped her car, ran over to the scene, and started to help those involved. There were many vehicles involved in the crash and Leise went up to as many as she could, checking on people and assisting those with injuries until EMS crews could arrive on the scene. In one vehicle, she discovered a driver who had suffered fatal injuries. Others nearby had noticed as well and were starting to use their phones to take pictures and videos. Leise was able to find a tarp on a nearby truck and used it to cover the body, giving the deceased dignity in death.
Once EMS and police started to arrive and attend to the injured, Leise returned to her car and continued to work so she could still see her own patients. As a hospice nurse, Leise helps her patients preserve their sense of dignity by improving their comfort and quality of life. She empowers patients at a time of their lives when they may feel powerless. Leise’s actions on the highway reflect her hospice background - it was second nature for her to respond with compassion, particularly to the driver who had passed away. Dignity connected her to the driver even though they didn’t know one another in life. Through her actions, she quietly demonstrated to others how to honor the sanctity of life. Leise is an amazing nurse, and I am so proud to call them my co-worker.
Once EMS and police started to arrive and attend to the injured, Leise returned to her car and continued to work so she could still see her own patients. As a hospice nurse, Leise helps her patients preserve their sense of dignity by improving their comfort and quality of life. She empowers patients at a time of their lives when they may feel powerless. Leise’s actions on the highway reflect her hospice background - it was second nature for her to respond with compassion, particularly to the driver who had passed away. Dignity connected her to the driver even though they didn’t know one another in life. Through her actions, she quietly demonstrated to others how to honor the sanctity of life. Leise is an amazing nurse, and I am so proud to call them my co-worker.