Michelle Rondo
October 2013
Michelle
Rondo
,
RN
Trauma Care Unit
Mission Hospital
Asheville
,
NC
United States

 

 

 

1)Michelle was there for every little thing I needed. She was always cheerful and happy to be able to help me. I have had cancer twice, and the last time has required more surgeries than the previous. Michelle brought me food to make sure I was eating even when I didn't feel like eating. One time she brought my CPAP machine down to pre-op to make sure it was there if I needed it.

Michelle showed such great compassion and care, and I could tell she was genuinely concerned for me and wanted to see me get better. She was never anxious and never made me feel like she was too busy doing other things to take care of me. She provided excellent care and made it clear to me that her priority is taking care of her patients.

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2)Michelle Rondo is an excellent new nurse. Her enthusiasm is catching. We had a very sick patient after surgery; he had many complications and had to stay longer than expected. Michelle gave the patient excellent care and was very compassionate with his family. When he got moved to LTAC, she kept up with him and would go to visit him. Then he had to have surgery again, and he continually requested Michelle to be his nurse.

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3)A patient had been in the hospital approximately 60 days during three admissions in 2013. This patient had been through 3 major surgeries during this time, and faces more in the future. This patient went through things that would be unimaginable to most people. Michelle goes above and beyond the norm. She picks up other shifts on different units but will come over after a 12-hour shift on the Mission campus to visit and bring this patient gifts to cheer her up. Her normal hours are day shift weekends, but she will call and email me (I am a case manager, trying to figure out this patient's discharge plan) daily to check up on this patient's status. This patient trusts Michelle and relies on her for a lot of support. The patient lives two hours away and rarely gets a visitor. Michelle takes her off the unit just for a change of scenery. I can't think of a more deserving nurse to receive this award. I could begin to tell you about one of the other patients that she has gone above and beyond for, but let's just say this patient and his family still keep in contact with Michelle. Both have survived their ordeal with much help and support from Michelle. No doubt in my mind that these two patients would echo my nomination.

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4)I had the absolute honor of being a patient of Michelle Rondo on many occasions from November 29, 2012 through May 28, 2013. While I was fighting for my life, Michelle was fighting for me and my family. Whenever she was on shift, she requested to be my nurse and having that continuity of care was one of utmost importance to me and my family. Because of my tenuous prognosis and vast medical complications, my family rarely felt comfortable enough to not be present at the hospital; unless Michelle was my nurse. Because of the relationship that we had with Michelle and our immense trust in her, my family felt comfortable staying home to get some much needed rest, but only when she was there. Michelle allowed them to let their guard down because they knew the level of care she provided. When Michelle was with me, it was like having a family member watching over me. We all greatly loved and anticipated what we called our "Michelle days".

Everything during this time was so rocky for me, but Michelle was a rock and a foundation. She would do anything she could for me. As a matter of fact, on my three separate stays in rehab and one of my stays in the ICU, she would come visit me. She didn't have to do that, but she was vested in me, my family, my healing, and my recovery. Whenever my family or I would see her, we knew we were safe. We didn't have to double-check what meds were being given, and if we had concerns, we knew they would be handled to our satisfaction. She also knew my history so well that if I had any new problems arise, she would alert the proper people immediately, which saved valuable time because my family or I didn't have to go over everything before action could be taken.

Michelle brightens up any room that she comes into with enthusiasm, smiles, laughter, and positive energy. You can't be sad when she's around, and that was just as much a part of my care as anything else. Being chronically ill or as sick as I was, it was essential for my recovery and survival to stay positive. There were many days when this was an impossibility until Michelle walked into the room. Never did it seem like it was a chore for her to be at work, to listen to or talk to me, or to care for me (and my care was extensive). I consider myself blessed for knowing her. I wish we could have met under different circumstances, but I am truly grateful to know her none the less.

Michelle is deserving of the DAISY Award because she encompasses everything that this award stands for. She has been my hero, friend, supporter, cheerleader, and advocate. She celebrated my highs, comforted me through my lows, and was there for me through it all. I now urge you to celebrate her and the magnificent nurse and human being that she is.