May 2009
Celeste
Walker
,
RN, BSN, CCRN
Surgical ICU
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Washington
,
DC
United States

 

 

 

Over the past 3 years, our Daisy Award winner has demonstrated excellent nursing practice while managing the care for complex critically ill patients. Celeste is a champion advocate for our patients at Georgetown. She ensures that each patient recieves respect and dignity in regard to personal values, cultural background, religious or spiritual customs, and personal abilities.
Recently Celeste was taking care of a 35yr old woman, who progressed to acute liver failure. The patient had a prolonged stay in the ICU with multiple complications. Fortunately, the patient did receive a liver transplant.
Celeste was deeply involved in the care of this patient and this patient's family. Celeste steered the course of care as the patient's condition escalated and both patient and family required advance therapy.
Celeste was instrumental in asembling an ethics panel to bring all disciplines together to discuss all issues regarding the care of this patient. She kept the patient's family informed of all treatments and options, helped them with many decisions.
Our Daisy Winner fulfilled all the roles of her job as a critical care nurse during the time she cared for this patient: nurse, teacher, advocate, mentor, collaborator and friend.
Celeste genuinely embodies the spirit that the Daisy Award represents.