Marlon
Padilla
February 2013
Marlon
Padilla
,
RN
Surgical ICU
Brooke Army Medical Center
JBSA FT SAM HOUSTON
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

Photo(l-r): MAJ Tracy Rose (Assist. Head Nurse), LTC Betty Clouden-Purdue (Head Nurse), Mark & Bonnie Barnes (DAISY Foundation), Marlon Padilla, RN (DAISY Award Honoree)

I would like to celebrate the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by Nurse Marlon Padilla. Though his co-workers were diligent, professional and caring, Mr. Padilla stood out. A patient was brought into the trauma room around 2230 with GSW to the abdomen. At that time, none of his family members were present. Due to the extent of his injury, the patient was taken to the OR-T, and later admitted to 2T for further care. When I learned that the patient family members had arrived in the 2T waiting area, I (with two CMM students) went up to give support. Doctors and other nurses worked tirelessly to save this patient’s life. From the time I arrived in 2T, Marlon was a source of knowledge, strength and comfort to me as a chaplain and to the family members. With grace, humility and a welcoming tone, he answered their questions; questions that I as the chaplain cannot answer. He stood by with patience as the family went from hopeful for a wounded family member to grieving the loss of their loved-one. Mr Padilla is an outstanding role model:
Quality of Care – Nurse Padilla took great care of this emotional and grieving family. He was there for them and my Hospital Ministry Team, whenever we had questions or concerns.
Nurse as Teacher – With every question, Nurse Padilla taught my HMT and the family about the kind of clinical care their loved-one had and would receive. Thereby, assuring them of the exemplary care offered here at BAMC, which helped to calm their fears.
Nurse Image – Nurse Padilla displayed a positive, caring, compassionate, and empathetic image of nurses.
Interdisciplinary Relationships - Nurse Padilla was a professional leader who related well with me and the Hospital Ministry Team, the family and his co-workers.
Nursing Leadership – With his calming voice, Nurse Padilla strategically managed a very tense, emotionally charged and sad situation. Though he set boundaries, the family seemed to appreciate the time they were able to spend with their loved-one.
Professional Development – Watching Nurse Padilla was inspiring. This was a sad situation that went on throughout the night. It was a traumatic experience for a mother who lost her only son. Yet, Nurse Padilla’s professionalism made it bearable. He maintained a professional attitude with me and the HMT, the family and his co-workers and other staff, regardless of rank or status.
I know how exhausting, emotional and difficult this situation was; trying to manage and console 15-20 grieving family members, watching a young man die, doing all that is required as a clinician, while maintaining professionalism and common courtesy. Nurse Padilla made this a memorable journey for me. I simply cannot forget the level of kindness he showed during this crisis. I was extremely proud to be a part of the BAMC team.
As I walked the family to their vehicles, they were calm and emotionally stable. I attribute that to the care they received from the 2T staff; and especially Nurse Padilla’s respect and willingness to respond so kindly and carefully to their questions, standby during visitation, and be compassionate to their loss.