Lisa Downer
August 2016
Lisa
Downer
,
RN, BSN, CNRN
Inpatient Neurological Intensive Care Unit
Overlook Medical Center
Summit
,
NJ
United States

 

 

 

This patient was declared brain-dead and had signed her license to be an organ donor. The family did not want this. They had no idea this was the patient's wish. They were very upset. Lisa worked with the family all day to gain their trust. She showered them with kindness and compassion. They finally came to accept that the patient was going to donate the next day. The patient's husband just had one request; he wanted Lisa to be with his wife when she went to the Operating Room. Lisa promised him she would be with his wife. The next day, she came in on her day off, as she promised, to hold the patient's hand and accompany her to the Operating Room. This exemplifies true dedication.