Alison Cote exhibited extraordinary critical thinking and clinical decision-making when she observed a co-worker have sudden onset of stroke symptoms during a family meeting. She provided compassionate care and leadership through patient advocacy, demonstrated clinical expertise, and made a difference in this co-worker/patient's life.

After observing her coworker had become aphasic, she helped the co-worker out of the meeting into a safe environment, where she performed an initial BEFAST assessment. Alison noted an abnormal assessment, rallied her team members, and immediately activated Code White – Possible Code Stroke, bringing other resources to the nursing unit. Alison stayed with her coworker, compassionately assuring her and competently monitoring her neuro assessment. Alison updated the response team and helped get her co-worker to the emergency department for treatment. Time is brain, and Alison’s quick and assertive response had an impact on her co-worker's life.

Nurses provide high quality care to patients and families in a variety of settings within Maine Medical Center. As professionals, we practice in partnership with the patient, family, physician, and other healthcare providers to deliver quality patient care across the continuum. Some would crumble under the pressure of your co-worker becoming your patient in the middle of a shift. Alison exhibited great professionalism and compassion during this time, and her peers recognize her as a role model of Neuro ICU nursing.