Debbie Huberfeld
September 2014
Debra
Huberfeld
,
RN
Personality Disorders Unit
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Westchester Division
White Plains
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

...Debbie demonstrates a consistent positive commitment to the care of a difficult and challenging client population. She possesses strong leadership skills and uses these to keep the team's focus on the needs of the patients and not solely on the negative patient behaviors. Her calm, goal directed demeanor in times of crisis are invaluable and her consistent willingness to engage with both patients and staff as a positive role model sets the tone for meeting the mission of the unit.

Debbie's communication skills are strong. She never fails to seek out those members of the team who are relevant in a patient's care to verbally pass on her observations. The most distinguishing characteristic of our DAISY recipient resides in her work with the unit's most critically ill patients. Her ability to see the pain and suffering of the patient and her marked skill of utilizing empathy where others might see only negative, deliberate behavior are her strengths. From these therapeutic staff/patient relationships come the ideas and recommendations for providing the best care possible for all patients. She communicates these assessments effectively to the team and to her peers to assure that care is consistent and compassionate. In addition she is a supportive and skilled preceptor for new nurses on the unit.

An example of Debbie's compassion is her recent work with one of the most acute patients on the unit. This patient was consistently determined to self-injure and was assaultive to staff who tried to intervene and stop the self-injurious behavior. Debbie was an effective role model for staff by demonstrating ways to remain engaged with the patient. She challenged this patient to utilize the coping skills taught on the unit in an effort to interrupt the negative behaviors. She did not lose hope and worked toward instilling hope in the patient. This is not an easy task! She accepts the challenge of working with this multi-faceted population and is a vital contributing member of the interdisciplinary team!

We couldn't be more proud of Debbie Huberfeld who always puts our patients and their care as her top priority!