Irina Osipova
May 2019
Irina
Osipova
,
RN
ICU
Riverside Doctors' Hospital Williamsburg
Williamsburg
,
VA
United States

 

 

 

Irina was always there when needed and treated him and us with the utmost respect, courtesy, and dignity- readily putting us at ease knowing that he was in expert and caring hands throughout her shift.
My father was admitted to the Riverside Doctors' Hospital in Williamsburg. He had been struggling with falls and the onset of dementia for a few months and was admitted for a fall that evening. Early the next morning, he was transferred to ICU as the hospitalist had diagnosed him with septicemia due to right side kidney failure.

From the second he entered into the ICU, a welcomed angel appeared for both my brother and me in the form of one of the day ICU nurses. She mistakenly went by the name of Irina, but it could have just as easily have been Compassion, Hope, Love, Understanding, Humanity, or Care. To say that she embodies the Riverside mission statement, "To care for others as we would care for those we love," is a gross understatement. Witnessing the way that she continually cared for our father through her nursing administrations, attempts to communicate and explain things to him and gentle touches truly helped to ease the burden that had been thrown upon us. Irina was always there when needed and treated him and us with the utmost respect, courtesy, and dignity- readily putting us at ease knowing that he was in expert and caring hands throughout her shift.

I have worked in the healthcare industry for 25 years and have dealt with countless numbers of healthcare professionals. Irina is a standout in every regard, a credit to the nursing profession and a needed beacon in the world that has lost sight of basic humanity.
Does Irina need to be singled out with an award recognizing her exemplary skills and professionalism? Yes and no. Yes, because she should be recognized by her peers so that maybe they can emulate what she brings to the hospital every day. No, because special people like Irina have been told numerous times how wonderful and needed they are but feel that they are simply doing their job and shy away from the spotlight.
Thank you, Irina, for what you did for my family. You were needed and stepped right up for the challenge. My hope is that we learned from your example and reflect some of your warmth, compassion, and love in our day-to-day interactions.