September 2026 Honoree
Emily Olsen, RN
On multiple occasions, Emily has been a role model for compassionate care. Emily always goes above and beyond on her shifts, ensuring that her patients are cared for to the highest degree. If they are afraid or anxious, she sits with them, using a therapeutic voice and touch to de-escalate. Emily goes above and beyond, taking note of the interests of her patients and using that to better care for her patients
Special Connection:
Emily was caring for a patient who recently received a terrible diagnosis with a poor prognosis. Emily recognized how upset the patient and her husband were. The patient was inconsolable. No matter the amount of time spent with the patient or words of kindness that Emily stated, the patient remained grieving.
Emily knew from previous conversations and making connections with her patient that this particular individual was passionate about her cat and missed the cat dearly. Seeing that there was no reasonable way to bring her cat into the hospital safely, Emily thought out of the box. She brought her concerns to unit leadership, seeking whether it was appropriate to purchase the patient something from the gift shop. She then proceeded to the gift shop, returning with a plush cat that she knew would console her patient.
She presented the plushy to her patient and husband at the bedside. In return, the patient went from crying tears of grief to tears of joy. The patient instantly shot a smile, hugging the plushy. Emily proceeded to hug and console the patient and family member, bringing light during the dark storm.
Significant Difference:
In another situation, Emily was caring for a patient who was medically being treated but also had an underlying behavioral diagnosis. The patient had capacity and wanted to sign out AMA due to discontent with being in the hospital. The patient was anxious, not understanding the gravity of his illness and the need for treatment.
Emily spent time with the patient, attempting to get a better understanding of the patient and what she could do to improve the patient's outlook in staying in the hospital to get their necessary treatment. By connecting with the patient, she determined that the patient was an avid video game player who had brought their video game console to the hospital with no way to hook it up to a TV. Emily was able to facilitate with the patient to have their family member bring a small TV to the hospital.
Emily took it another step further by understanding that the patient was anxious being by the window in the double room. Emily collaborated with the charge RN, unit leadership, and bed management to move the patient from the window bed to the door bed. She then personally went and picked up the patient's TV from the atrium and assisted with setting up the TV in the room.
The patient felt much more at ease, playing their video games with joy. The patient was agreeable to stay on the unit to complete treatment and was successfully discharged several days later.
Emily is incredibly gifted in making connections with patients and making a difference for her patients during their most challenging times. We are so proud of her.
Special Connection:
Emily was caring for a patient who recently received a terrible diagnosis with a poor prognosis. Emily recognized how upset the patient and her husband were. The patient was inconsolable. No matter the amount of time spent with the patient or words of kindness that Emily stated, the patient remained grieving.
Emily knew from previous conversations and making connections with her patient that this particular individual was passionate about her cat and missed the cat dearly. Seeing that there was no reasonable way to bring her cat into the hospital safely, Emily thought out of the box. She brought her concerns to unit leadership, seeking whether it was appropriate to purchase the patient something from the gift shop. She then proceeded to the gift shop, returning with a plush cat that she knew would console her patient.
She presented the plushy to her patient and husband at the bedside. In return, the patient went from crying tears of grief to tears of joy. The patient instantly shot a smile, hugging the plushy. Emily proceeded to hug and console the patient and family member, bringing light during the dark storm.
Significant Difference:
In another situation, Emily was caring for a patient who was medically being treated but also had an underlying behavioral diagnosis. The patient had capacity and wanted to sign out AMA due to discontent with being in the hospital. The patient was anxious, not understanding the gravity of his illness and the need for treatment.
Emily spent time with the patient, attempting to get a better understanding of the patient and what she could do to improve the patient's outlook in staying in the hospital to get their necessary treatment. By connecting with the patient, she determined that the patient was an avid video game player who had brought their video game console to the hospital with no way to hook it up to a TV. Emily was able to facilitate with the patient to have their family member bring a small TV to the hospital.
Emily took it another step further by understanding that the patient was anxious being by the window in the double room. Emily collaborated with the charge RN, unit leadership, and bed management to move the patient from the window bed to the door bed. She then personally went and picked up the patient's TV from the atrium and assisted with setting up the TV in the room.
The patient felt much more at ease, playing their video games with joy. The patient was agreeable to stay on the unit to complete treatment and was successfully discharged several days later.
Emily is incredibly gifted in making connections with patients and making a difference for her patients during their most challenging times. We are so proud of her.
Thank you, Emily, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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