Rebecca Rios
March 2025
Rebecca
Rios
,
BSN, RN
ICU
Eisenhower Medical Center
Rancho Mirage
,
CA
United States
Yesterday, I thanked Rebecca for saving my son’s life. She graciously suggested that’s not what happened – but I know that is most definitely what happened.
My adult son, K, has been hospitalized at your Rancho Mirage campus for 12 days. It’s obviously a very serious illness that has been terrifying for any parent. K does, though, seem to be turning the corner, and we are hoping he isn’t admitted for too much longer.
I would like you to know how incredibly impressed I have been with your ICU team. I say this as a former high school principal, then leader of a large retail operation, and now Talent Leader at a company with more than 150,000 employees (I know a little something about professional dedication): The level of thoughtfulness and care in the ICU has been remarkable. But I would absolutely like you to know about Rebecca Rios, a traveling nurse who has cared for my son multiple times. I have very much appreciated her attention to detail, humor, and obvious length of service to the medical craft. Most importantly, Rebecca very likely saved K’s life.
After an initial upswing and leaving ICU, K suddenly lost all his momentum and got worse Friday night. Upon his return to ICU, I immediately flew out from Texas to arrive first thing Saturday morning. I knew there was a possibility of intubation. I also knew that would likely not have a good outcome.
My flight was late, and I was worried perhaps he had already been intubated before I arrived, but I got to the room and instead found K on a BiPap in the prone position. His pulse ox was in the mid-80s. Not great, but not what it had been. Soon after, I learned the doctor was indeed planning to intubate, and the equipment was staged outside K’s room. Rebecca wasn’t ready for that, and she asked to try the COVID-era prone position before resorting to intubation as a last-ditch effort just before I arrived.
It worked.
Throughout yesterday, K’s stats slowly and steadily improved. The same occurred today. He’s not out of the woods, but he’s not on a ventilator, which means the world to me. Yesterday, I thanked Rebecca for saving my son’s life. She graciously suggested that’s not what happened – but I know that is most definitely what happened.
My son is also aware of what Rebecca did and how her advocacy kept him from intubation. He made sure to thank Rebecca multiple times today. I know Rebecca is a traveling nurse and how that system works. I realize she may not be with you too long. But I hope you enjoy her dedication while she is with you. She’s amazing.
Note: This is Rebecca's 2nd DAISY Award!
I would like you to know how incredibly impressed I have been with your ICU team. I say this as a former high school principal, then leader of a large retail operation, and now Talent Leader at a company with more than 150,000 employees (I know a little something about professional dedication): The level of thoughtfulness and care in the ICU has been remarkable. But I would absolutely like you to know about Rebecca Rios, a traveling nurse who has cared for my son multiple times. I have very much appreciated her attention to detail, humor, and obvious length of service to the medical craft. Most importantly, Rebecca very likely saved K’s life.
After an initial upswing and leaving ICU, K suddenly lost all his momentum and got worse Friday night. Upon his return to ICU, I immediately flew out from Texas to arrive first thing Saturday morning. I knew there was a possibility of intubation. I also knew that would likely not have a good outcome.
My flight was late, and I was worried perhaps he had already been intubated before I arrived, but I got to the room and instead found K on a BiPap in the prone position. His pulse ox was in the mid-80s. Not great, but not what it had been. Soon after, I learned the doctor was indeed planning to intubate, and the equipment was staged outside K’s room. Rebecca wasn’t ready for that, and she asked to try the COVID-era prone position before resorting to intubation as a last-ditch effort just before I arrived.
It worked.
Throughout yesterday, K’s stats slowly and steadily improved. The same occurred today. He’s not out of the woods, but he’s not on a ventilator, which means the world to me. Yesterday, I thanked Rebecca for saving my son’s life. She graciously suggested that’s not what happened – but I know that is most definitely what happened.
My son is also aware of what Rebecca did and how her advocacy kept him from intubation. He made sure to thank Rebecca multiple times today. I know Rebecca is a traveling nurse and how that system works. I realize she may not be with you too long. But I hope you enjoy her dedication while she is with you. She’s amazing.
Note: This is Rebecca's 2nd DAISY Award!