Mary Ann Berry
May 2013
Mary
Berry
,
RN
Hospice
St. Luke's Hospital
Cedar Rapids
,
IA
United States

 

 

 

When you work with someone as close for this period of time, there is no one incident that can stand out. Mary Ann truly lives the mission of St. Luke's consistently in all the time I have worked with her. How can I describe her loving attitude when she walks into a dying patient's room and looks into their eyes and tells them "Everything will be ok", or as they progress to death, she lets them know that they are not alone and she is someone who understands. I often heard her say to a patient, "you are doing a great job." You see what Mary Ann understands and lives is what we in healthcare try to ascribe to and that is the process of health care is sometimes more important than the end result. Every patient that Mary Ann touched knew that they were loved and were much more than a patient with a particular diagnosis. I saw it in their eyes when she walked into their room. I have heard on more than one occasion from patients and families that "Mary Ann is an angel walking on the earth."

Mary Ann can teach anyone who opens their heart and works with her that caring can be the best medicine. She is a person who also provides constant humor and always reframes situations in a positive manner. Mary Ann always is able to focus on the positives of those she works with and has never voiced a negative comment about anyone in my presence. She has integrity, honesty, and most of all caring for all those she touches.