Sandy Gutierrez
November 2017
Sandy
Gutierrez
,
RN
Medical
Christian Hospital
St. Louis
,
MO
United States

 

 

 

I have known Sandy for more than 30 years and, although I was surprised to discover the identity of the person who impressed me on the day in question, I was not surprised when I realized it was Sandy Gutierrez! I was a visitor at Christian Hospital last month, and I observed a nurse who was holding the hand of her patient and singing to her. I found this kind and compassionate attention to a patient to be extraordinary because I am aware of the demands placed on nurses to follow doctors' orders and to complete multiple tasks related to the physical health of their patients. I am also aware of the limited time available to provide services beyond those included in a typical job description. Sandy seemed to be able to complete all of those responsibilities while administering to the more emotional needs for comfort and reassurance of this patient. She understands thatexceptional care and attention to the needs of the whole person are highly related not only to physical recovery but to a patients' overall well being. Sandy is not a trained songstress, but she could have been Adele or Whitney Houston judging from the impact she had on the patient. What is more impressive is that she was not singing for recognition or reward because she was not aware that I or any other person was watching her.