August 2026 Honoree
Teresa Zolczynski, RN
I was contemplating taking my life. I was taken to the Emergency Room at RAMC by my family. With Mental Health and Suicide being very taboo, I was afraid I was going to be judged, not really sure how they would treat me or what they would think of me. That is when I met Teresa Zolczynski.
From the moment I got to my room to the moment I left, I felt comfort and safety. During my 12 hours of waiting, Teresa always made sure I was comfortable, felt like I was safe, and that I mattered. When I was turned away from one place, Teresa jumped on the phone to the next place. One of the places said they would call back in an hour, and when they didn't, she gave them another 15 minutes and was on the phone finding out what the holdup was. When they couldn't give her an answer as to why they didn't call back, she got super protective in a way and made sure they knew how frustrated my family and I were (yet remaining very professional). She advocated for me in so many ways and was just as frustrated as I was at the time, being turned away by five places before she thought of one more place and called them.
Even though it was almost two hours away, she knew I couldn't go home. All the while I was at RAMC, she was making sure I was taken care of, along with my family, offering phone chargers, food, drinks, and anything we needed. She made me feel seen, heard, and let me know that I was not alone in my journey. When the last place finally accepted me, they wanted me transported by ambulance. Again, she advocated for me to be transferred by my family and told them that my family and I had been at RAMC since 6 pm, making it 12 hours, and that she trusted them enough that, since they waited for a long time, they would make sure I made it to the facility.
While I was leaving, she walked over to me and told me, "We all have troubles sometimes, and this isn't the end. Be strong; we need you here." Then she gave me a big, tight hug while I fought back tears. That sentence has stuck with me since. She went above and beyond for me that night, and I will forever be grateful for her compassion and empathy. I am thankful for those words and that I am here to write this nomination for Teresa.
Thank you. Because of you, I can say that you played a role in saving my life and making me a suicide survivor!
From the moment I got to my room to the moment I left, I felt comfort and safety. During my 12 hours of waiting, Teresa always made sure I was comfortable, felt like I was safe, and that I mattered. When I was turned away from one place, Teresa jumped on the phone to the next place. One of the places said they would call back in an hour, and when they didn't, she gave them another 15 minutes and was on the phone finding out what the holdup was. When they couldn't give her an answer as to why they didn't call back, she got super protective in a way and made sure they knew how frustrated my family and I were (yet remaining very professional). She advocated for me in so many ways and was just as frustrated as I was at the time, being turned away by five places before she thought of one more place and called them.
Even though it was almost two hours away, she knew I couldn't go home. All the while I was at RAMC, she was making sure I was taken care of, along with my family, offering phone chargers, food, drinks, and anything we needed. She made me feel seen, heard, and let me know that I was not alone in my journey. When the last place finally accepted me, they wanted me transported by ambulance. Again, she advocated for me to be transferred by my family and told them that my family and I had been at RAMC since 6 pm, making it 12 hours, and that she trusted them enough that, since they waited for a long time, they would make sure I made it to the facility.
While I was leaving, she walked over to me and told me, "We all have troubles sometimes, and this isn't the end. Be strong; we need you here." Then she gave me a big, tight hug while I fought back tears. That sentence has stuck with me since. She went above and beyond for me that night, and I will forever be grateful for her compassion and empathy. I am thankful for those words and that I am here to write this nomination for Teresa.
Thank you. Because of you, I can say that you played a role in saving my life and making me a suicide survivor!
Thank you, Teresa, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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