Elizabeth Swartz
September 2016
Elizabeth
Swartz
,
BSN, RN, C-EFM
Labor & Delivery
Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital
Westerville
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

Beth has recently been involved in care conferences with families who have received prenatal testing that indicates life-limiting diagnoses. She has taken the time to ask how we can provide for their individual needs during their labor, delivery, and recovery here. Taking important notes and helping families make memories with their infant has helped staff make these deliveries very precious and personalized.
When the patient arrived to the unit for induction of her daughter, with no fetal heart tones, Beth was prepared. She had already asked a colleague to personalize a box for her mementos with the name of her infant, favorite color, a verse of a song that had inspired her. She had a blanket prepared with her colors in mind, a canvas for her footprints, and keepsake ornament already available. She had already coordinated with photography to provide the family with pictures they deeply desired. It was this attention to detail that made this experience for the family exceptional.
Beth is a perinatal loss champion. She has such a heart for our grieving mothers. She has been known to stay late making mementos for families and teaching others the process as well. She has such a drive and passion to serve these families in the midst of their grief, speaking kind words, being a supportive emotional presence, and an active listener. This is Beth at her best.
Beth spends countless hours dedicating time and thought on how to better serve out perinatal loss patients. She treats every little life we encounter with grace, dignity, and respect. She values life at all gestations acknowledging the sacredness of the care we provide here. She puts the most delicate, personal touches on her mementos knowing that each family deserves a way to treasure their loss.
Beth seeks educational opportunities to advance her knowledge and care. She is an exceptional nurse, and we are so very fortunate to have her on our unit. Recently during a meeting with our chaplain, a call came from the Emergency Department that a one month old had passed away and they were asking for keepsakes. Beth immediately jumped at the opportunity to serve. She gifted the family with foot impressions, hand and footprints on a canvas, and a scrapbook for photos.