Steve Christenbury
May 2015
Steve
Christenbury
,
RN
ICU
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
Baltimore
,
MD
United States

 

 

 

Steve Christenbury was nominated by 3 separate family members of a patient who was critically ill in the ICU. The family was faced with the decision of whether or not to terminate care of their father. It was their first time ever dealing with this type of situation. One daughter wrote she "was overwhelmed by the sounds, the smells, the fear, the heartbreaking feeling of being helpless, trying to hold onto any small ray of hope". She wrote, "There was on that day, in that room amidst all the darkness, a very bright and positive force present". It was Steve, the nurse caring for their Dad.

"Steve came into Dad's room early when it was still dark and spoke to me calmly about his condition and answered all my questions. He assured me he would be there to help with anything all day and Steve was there when family members came and asked questions". Another daughter wrote, "Steve treated Dad and all of us with so much respect and compassion that it was as though we had a family member present who had the knowledge and experience to guide us through this uncharted path". They wrote, "We spoke to the doctors, we had the prognosis, but it was Steve who explained everything so we could understand our options. Steve was there when our pastor came to pray with us for Dad and Steve was there when we made our decision to let Dad go". One wrote, "I believe there are Angels on earth and Steve was the angel sent that day to guide us through".