February 2024
Brenda
Oswalt
,
RN
Surgery
Elkhart General Hospital
Elkhart
,
IN
United States

 

 

 

Brenda was a tremendous patient advocate.
Brenda was my OR nurse for two surgeries this year, one in February and one in November. In February, I had a scheduled thyroidectomy after a partial in January. I expressed concerns about anesthesia reactions, positioning during surgery and its effects on my migraine condition, and general anxiety and recovery. Brenda was a tremendous patient advocate. She was in the room to help me express my concerns to the various doctors and spent extra time to position and make me comfortable before anesthesia. I came back in November for an emergency appendectomy. She immediately recognized me and my husband (nearly 10 months later). She also remembered my concerns about anesthesia and helped us find the cause of my reactions. She also remembered my concerns and positioning and its effects on my migraines. She again spent extra time (including bringing in extra pillows) to position me. She went above and beyond to be a patient advocate and to offer comfort and support. She made a difference.