Stephanie Myrda, Warrior Medicine RN, received a late-afternoon crisis call from an actively suicidal and homicidal patient with a plan. The patient was in extreme emotional distress related to a difficult work environment, inadequate sleep, and the strain related to single-parenting two children (one with disabilities).

Stephanie quickly leveraged her 15+ years of telehealth nursing experience to recognize the patient's vulnerable emotional state and started to formulate a safe disposition. While staying on the line, Ms. Myrda coordinated with the unit first sergeant and the patient’s roommate to ensure that the patient was escorted to the MTF ER for evaluation and that the patient’s kids were picked up from the CDC before closing time. While waiting for help to arrive, Stephanie also coordinated ER follow-up appointments with the patient's PCM and PCBH for the next week. In total, Ms. Myrda stayed on the line with the patient for nearly 1.5 hours to ensure safe resolution for the patient and her children. By saving an Airman, a mother, and a wife's life, Stephanie demonstrated what it means to provide patient-centered and family-centered care.