October 2026 Honoree
Jasmine Oatts, BSN, RN
Biopsy abnormal… surgery needed… general anesthesia. Words that no one wants to hear. Emotions and fear of the unknown begin as soon as the biopsy results are reviewed. But you do your best to keep a smile on your face. You listen to the doctor, follow instructions. The anticipation builds, and by the day of surgery, the fear is at its highest. You sit in bed, answering questions and internalizing the almost paralyzing fear.
The entire team is incredible. Patient, reassuring, friendly. Yet the fear persists. Every team member clearly explains their role and what to expect. Everyone smiles and offers comfort. Yet the fear persists. Then Jasmine enters the room. She introduces herself with a beautiful smile and explains she is my circulating nurse. She lets you know additional members of her team will be in the room, but they can't introduce themselves because they are readying the OR suite for my arrival. She speaks in basic terms in a soothing voice. She describes the process from the moment I enter the OR suite through my transfer to the OR table. Her description of what happens once I transferred brought a true smile to my face. She said there would be a LOT of activity, and her team would take over “like a NASCAR pit crew.”
She was not wrong! After final hugs and kisses (and, yes, tears), I said goodbye to my family and entered the sterile OR suite. Everyone was patient and kind. I was given some medication that made me a little woozy and transferred to the OR table. An oxygen mask covered my face. My limbs were being manipulated, and I was being strapped in. I couldn’t contain my emotions any longer. A tear slid down my cheek. People are on either side of me, and the CRNA is at my head. I sat staring at the ceiling, trying to calm down. The meds are making me sleepier, and I am listening to the “pit crew” do their work, grateful for this amazing team yet still wondering if I will see my family again.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Jasmine is at my side again. My arm rises, and I am not sure what is happening as so much is happening at once. And then it happens. Jasmine works her way to my side and takes my hand. She does nothing else in that moment. She connected with me through physical touch. She doesn’t say a word. She just holds my hand, rubs my thumb, and offers the most basic human interaction: touch. She soothed me in a way no words could have. She treated me like a human- a person who was having surgery for the first time. She recognized that I needed connection in the sterile OR suite. She made me feel like I was more than patient X with birthdate of x/x/x having a procedure, etc. She was there for me when I needed her most. She held my hand until I was completely under.
Jasmine represented the BJH values in a way I will never forget. She demonstrated compassion, kindness, and human decency. In a world with so much division and hate, Jasmine chose kindness. She didn’t get recognition in that moment (I was a little medicated), and I am sure she doesn't think it was a big deal- just her job. But her actions grounded me, made me feel seen, and eased my fears. Jasmine is an amazing nurse. She is an amazing member of the team. But to me, that scary day, she was an amazing human. I can never thank her enough.
The entire team is incredible. Patient, reassuring, friendly. Yet the fear persists. Every team member clearly explains their role and what to expect. Everyone smiles and offers comfort. Yet the fear persists. Then Jasmine enters the room. She introduces herself with a beautiful smile and explains she is my circulating nurse. She lets you know additional members of her team will be in the room, but they can't introduce themselves because they are readying the OR suite for my arrival. She speaks in basic terms in a soothing voice. She describes the process from the moment I enter the OR suite through my transfer to the OR table. Her description of what happens once I transferred brought a true smile to my face. She said there would be a LOT of activity, and her team would take over “like a NASCAR pit crew.”
She was not wrong! After final hugs and kisses (and, yes, tears), I said goodbye to my family and entered the sterile OR suite. Everyone was patient and kind. I was given some medication that made me a little woozy and transferred to the OR table. An oxygen mask covered my face. My limbs were being manipulated, and I was being strapped in. I couldn’t contain my emotions any longer. A tear slid down my cheek. People are on either side of me, and the CRNA is at my head. I sat staring at the ceiling, trying to calm down. The meds are making me sleepier, and I am listening to the “pit crew” do their work, grateful for this amazing team yet still wondering if I will see my family again.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Jasmine is at my side again. My arm rises, and I am not sure what is happening as so much is happening at once. And then it happens. Jasmine works her way to my side and takes my hand. She does nothing else in that moment. She connected with me through physical touch. She doesn’t say a word. She just holds my hand, rubs my thumb, and offers the most basic human interaction: touch. She soothed me in a way no words could have. She treated me like a human- a person who was having surgery for the first time. She recognized that I needed connection in the sterile OR suite. She made me feel like I was more than patient X with birthdate of x/x/x having a procedure, etc. She was there for me when I needed her most. She held my hand until I was completely under.
Jasmine represented the BJH values in a way I will never forget. She demonstrated compassion, kindness, and human decency. In a world with so much division and hate, Jasmine chose kindness. She didn’t get recognition in that moment (I was a little medicated), and I am sure she doesn't think it was a big deal- just her job. But her actions grounded me, made me feel seen, and eased my fears. Jasmine is an amazing nurse. She is an amazing member of the team. But to me, that scary day, she was an amazing human. I can never thank her enough.
Thank you, Jasmine, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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