January 2025
Abigail
Gann
,
BSN, RN
Adult Emergency Department
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
Through this extraordinary compassionate act of arranging for the family to be present with the boy while awaiting the medical examiner, and to offer a beautiful prayer to the mother during this unbelievably tragic time, Abigail's actions won't be soon forgotten by both the family, and this physician who felt extremely touched, and inspired by her actions.
On January 19th, a family experienced their worst nightmare. A 14-year-old patient was killed following a motorcycle vs. auto crash. He was the passenger in the car and his mother was the driver. The child was seen in the Children’s Emergency Department, and Dr. Gibbs had the opportunity to care for his mother in the Adult ED. Fortunately she was not severely injured.
By early afternoon the family had assembled with the mother in Major Room - 10 and Dr. Gibbs and Abigail made arrangements for both parents to view their son’s body in the Morgue. Because the child’s case was determined to require assessment by the Medical Examiner, we all had to be cautious to not alter the body in any way.
Abigail's role is to provide emergency medical care. In a busy emergency department, nurses and providers must react, then move to the next patient for care. What transpired next- raises Abigail to the elevation of a DAISY Nurse. I received the following note from Dr. Gibbs the day after the event: "So, after finishing up my shift in Major, Abigail and I escorted the parents to the Morgue with Jose who is one of our bilingual Pastoral Care colleagues. We viewed the body quietly as the parents wept and prayed for him.
As we were about to leave the Morgue, Abigail reached over and gently touched the mother’s shoulder and asked: “Can I pray for your son?” The mother nodded in approval, after which Abigail shared a beautiful prayer with all of us that Jose translated into Spanish for the parents. It was an extremely touching and powerful moment. Trying to find warmth in tragedy, Abigail reminded me instantly of why we are here and of our duty to protect our Charlotte community.
Through this extraordinary compassionate act of arranging for the family to be present with the boy while awaiting the medical examiner, and to offer a beautiful prayer to the mother during this unbelievably tragic time, Abigail's actions won't be soon forgotten by both the family, and this physician who felt extremely touched, and inspired by her actions.
This is Abigail's Second Award!
By early afternoon the family had assembled with the mother in Major Room - 10 and Dr. Gibbs and Abigail made arrangements for both parents to view their son’s body in the Morgue. Because the child’s case was determined to require assessment by the Medical Examiner, we all had to be cautious to not alter the body in any way.
Abigail's role is to provide emergency medical care. In a busy emergency department, nurses and providers must react, then move to the next patient for care. What transpired next- raises Abigail to the elevation of a DAISY Nurse. I received the following note from Dr. Gibbs the day after the event: "So, after finishing up my shift in Major, Abigail and I escorted the parents to the Morgue with Jose who is one of our bilingual Pastoral Care colleagues. We viewed the body quietly as the parents wept and prayed for him.
As we were about to leave the Morgue, Abigail reached over and gently touched the mother’s shoulder and asked: “Can I pray for your son?” The mother nodded in approval, after which Abigail shared a beautiful prayer with all of us that Jose translated into Spanish for the parents. It was an extremely touching and powerful moment. Trying to find warmth in tragedy, Abigail reminded me instantly of why we are here and of our duty to protect our Charlotte community.
Through this extraordinary compassionate act of arranging for the family to be present with the boy while awaiting the medical examiner, and to offer a beautiful prayer to the mother during this unbelievably tragic time, Abigail's actions won't be soon forgotten by both the family, and this physician who felt extremely touched, and inspired by her actions.
This is Abigail's Second Award!