Ginger Thorstad
November 2023
Ginger
Thorstad
,
BSN, RN
Surgical IMC
McKay Dee Hospital
Ogden
,
UT
United States
She always made us feel safe when she was there, because she truly cares, and goes out of her way to make sure that her patients and family are taken care of. She has the biggest heart.
When I first heard about the DAISY Award, I knew I wanted to nominate Ginger. My family and I will always remember Ginger for her amazing heart and great nursing care. Almost 6 years ago my father was admitted to the hospital for a very long, complicated stay, and six years later, we still remember Ginger and how she not only treated my dad, but how she treated my whole family. I have always worked in healthcare, but never been on the family side, and Ginger made me realize what kind of a nurse I wanted to be. She really made sure that not only was he okay, but made sure that we were involved, that we were heard, and made all of us feel loved and taken care of.
He was in and out of the hospital for nearly four months. He came into the hospital for emergency surgery, and they did not think he would survive. Ginger was one of the first nurses that we met when admitted to the unit. My dad had many codes/rapid responses called while inpatient, and I remember multiple times Ginger being there to help take care of him. There were many moments that impressed me with Ginger, she took the time to not only take care of my dad during these events, but she made sure that my mom was also taken care of.
One of the specific times that I will never forget, was when my dad had a complication and came back in for yet another surgery. When he was finished with surgery and was wheeled to the floor, we were walking to his room, and I looked down the hall, and there was Ginger standing outside of his new room, waiting to help get him settled in his room. It was such a relief to see a familiar face when we got there. My dad asked her if she was his nurse, and she stated no, I just came to check on you to see how you were doing. I will never forget that she took time out of her day to come and check on my dad when she wasn't even assigned to him.
She always made us feel safe when she was there, because she truly cares, and goes out of her way to make sure that her patients and family are taken care of. She has the biggest heart. I knew that when she was there, my dad was in great hands. I cannot say enough great things about Ginger, and I hope she knows that to this day, six years later, my family remembers her, and we still talk about how amazing she was and how much of an impression she left on my whole family.
He was in and out of the hospital for nearly four months. He came into the hospital for emergency surgery, and they did not think he would survive. Ginger was one of the first nurses that we met when admitted to the unit. My dad had many codes/rapid responses called while inpatient, and I remember multiple times Ginger being there to help take care of him. There were many moments that impressed me with Ginger, she took the time to not only take care of my dad during these events, but she made sure that my mom was also taken care of.
One of the specific times that I will never forget, was when my dad had a complication and came back in for yet another surgery. When he was finished with surgery and was wheeled to the floor, we were walking to his room, and I looked down the hall, and there was Ginger standing outside of his new room, waiting to help get him settled in his room. It was such a relief to see a familiar face when we got there. My dad asked her if she was his nurse, and she stated no, I just came to check on you to see how you were doing. I will never forget that she took time out of her day to come and check on my dad when she wasn't even assigned to him.
She always made us feel safe when she was there, because she truly cares, and goes out of her way to make sure that her patients and family are taken care of. She has the biggest heart. I knew that when she was there, my dad was in great hands. I cannot say enough great things about Ginger, and I hope she knows that to this day, six years later, my family remembers her, and we still talk about how amazing she was and how much of an impression she left on my whole family.