Kathy Russell, Resource Nurse in the ED, made a follow-up call to a patient who was discharged the day before from the ED to check on him. During the course of the conversation, Kathy learned that the couple had not picked up the prescriptions which had been ordered by the ED physician. It was extremely important that the patient have these in order to begin to feel better. In asking if they were going to pick them up, Kathy was told that they could not afford the prescriptions. The total amount owed on the three (3) prescriptions was $0.64 - and these folks could not afford that.

Kathy called the pharmacy. Because of Kathy's job duties, and her constant contact with pharmacies, the pharmacist knew who she was. She learned that they would allow her to pick them up for the patient. So Kathy clocked out of work, went to the pharmacy, paid for the prescriptions, and then saw that the patient received his meds.

This exemplifies extraordinary compassion and sensitivity to others. Kathy went above and beyond her normal duties for this patient with this act of kindness. Kathy always shows a willingness to be helpful when needed. In this instance, something which seems so little (financially) to so many of us - only $0.64 - in addition to Kathy's personal time and the gas to run this errand, would make a big difference in the patient's care and outcome.