February 2021
Caitlyn
O'Brock
,
RN, BSN, CCRN
Heart & Vascular ICU
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

 

 

 

Both are doing better than all of us expected. And to celebrate, Caitlyn coordinated a huge baby shower.
Caitlyn took care of a pregnant patient and she not only took exceptional care of the patient but took time outside of work to organize and plan a baby shower for the patient and her baby. It was an extremely difficult time as the expectant mother was not able to enjoy her pregnancy and have the baby shower and other experiences.
Caitlyn made sure to let the patient know how special she is as well as her baby. Caitlyn went way above and beyond. It is such an honor to work with such a thoughtful and caring nurse through these hard and unprecedented times. It is comforting to know there are people in this world who can bring a sense of comfort and normalcy to the hospital.
***
We have been working on 8200 on and off for months. So many have come to us and not recovered. Early on, our patients' loved ones never got to say good-bye or see them again. Later, as guidelines changed, families were able to come and spend 30 minutes with their loved ones as they were dying. We watched our strongest physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants struggle with the loss of their patients, sometimes two within one hour. And while we were getting hit on all sides, we remained hopeful. Hopeful, that even just one person could have a happy ending.
Caitlyn had that COVID-positive pregnant patient. Both are doing better than all of us expected. And to celebrate, Caitlyn coordinated a huge baby shower. Caitlyn's time, efforts, and love for both of our patients ought to be celebrated, revered, and honored as what a true Barnes-Jewish Hospital / BJC Healthcare is meant to be. Her efforts made it possible to not only celebrate the two lives we were able to save, but for us to finally be able to recognize that no matter how many we lost, our efforts, our love, and our hope for our patients. There's always hope!