A veteran came to the Emergency Department for care from an intentional overdose to end her life after experiencing a horrific event in her personal life. The Veteran started crying and shaking uncontrollably. Molly pulled a chair up to the Veteran’s bed and asked if she could put her arm on the Veteran’s shoulder. Molly looked at the patient and told her “I’m sorry this happened to you. I want you to know you are not a bad person. This is a difficult situation, but you are not a bad person, and we are here to make sure you are okay.”

Molly showed compassion and understanding by taking the time to sit and talk with the Veteran during the troubling situation. Molly acknowledged the Veteran’s emotions and the desperation she must have been feeling to try and do something so extreme and permanent for a moment in a time of feeling pain and unworthiness.

Molly often shares what she does with her coworkers and friends. Molly holds the Veteran’s hands and acknowledges the battles they are fighting that no one may even know about and says, “I’m sorry this is heavy. What can I do for you right now?” Sometimes they want someone to listen. Sometimes they want to cry and just be. Sometimes they are relieved that someone would simply ask. I thought it was time to share this with other healthcare workers as I find her work inspiring and deserving of a DAISY Award. The world would be a better place if we had more Mollys in it!