Leslie Clemons
May 2023
Leslie
Clemons
,
BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC
Adult ED
UF Health Shands
Gainesville
,
FL
United States

 

 

 

This compassionate gesture was creative thinking at its best and a great thing that Leslie came up with for a veteran who loved flying.
We had a rather difficult situation in the Trauma bay with a critical elderly patient who received devastating end-of-life news. Upon which, there were not many dry eyes in the room. In talking to the patient, our team found out that he served in the United States Air Force and loved flying. Leslie Clemons came up with the idea to take the patient to the helipad. She cleared it with the doctors and security, and our team was able to transport the patient to the helipad to see the night sky. The patient was able to visualize the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and the Century Tower and was absolutely thrilled - enjoying every second of it, since he is a diehard Gators Fan! During this experience, the team was able to connect with the patient's sister through FaceTime and she was able to share that experience with him. This compassionate gesture was creative thinking at its best and a great thing that Leslie came up with for a veteran who loved flying. Our team was able to stay with him and keep him comfortable during his final moments, granting his sister’s request that her brother not die alone.