Melanie is a more recent hire to the department, but in her short time here, she has shown herself to be a very kind and professional nurse. Today, there was a patient in the department brought in by EMS who was assaulted before arrival. The patient was altered and required emergent care. The patient’s wife arrived shortly after, and between the patient’s wife and the police department, it was discovered that the couple was from Venezuela seeking asylum. They had been transferred to multiple states throughout the United States, but ultimately ended up in Philadelphia.

The patient went to look at housing for his family to start a new life. While he was there, he realized that it was a scam, and he was assaulted and robbed of the only money he had. The wife had a 10-month-old baby with her when she arrived at the hospital. Melanie, along with other staff members, assisted with contacting social work, obtaining nutrition for the mom and baby, and escalating the situation to leadership for further assistance. Everyone’s heart was in the right place. However, Melanie went the extra step.

Melanie checked the baby’s clothing size while she was assisting the mother so that she could talk to social work. Melanie then went and ordered two bags full of clothing online and had them delivered to the emergency department. Melanie walked them over and handed them to the mother. The mother was very grateful. Melanie did not tell anyone that she was doing this. She just knew as a mother that she would wish someone would help her and her child if she were in a similar situation.