Role Model Compassionate Care:
Tom exemplifies compassionate care. As a SWAT RN, Tom is called to a patient's bedside when the primary RN has a clinical concern about their patient. It is often a stressful situation for the patient, the family, and the staff. In such situations, Tom is often recognized for his knowledge, patience, and compassion. Compassion, not just for the patients and their families, but for the staff as well. He is the frequent recipient of RAVES from staff who would like to recognize Tom for such. One RAVE submitted was to recognize Tom for coming in on his night off with cookies to meet with the staff on a unit that had experienced an adult medical emergency and the ultimate death of a long-term patient the night before. The person who wrote the RAVE said, “I am in awe witnessing his compassion for people”. Another manager reached out to recognize Tom for the kindness and compassion he showed by sitting with a patient’s daughter to help her understand her father’s prognosis. These are just a few examples that highlight the compassionate care Tom brings not only to patients and families but also to YNHH staff.

Special Connection:
One night, Tom responded to a rapid response on a postoperative patient on one of the oncology floors in Smilow. Tom said as soon as he walked in the room, he felt a connection to this patient. The patient had low blood pressure, but the team wanted her to remain on the floor. Tom was concerned and advocated for her to go to the ICU. After a short ICU stay, she was transferred back to one of the Smilow floors. Throughout her hospital course, Tom would check in on her and her family to see how they were doing and if they needed anything. During one of those visits, Tom discovered that the patient’s daughter was getting married in July. When treatment options failed, the daughter decided to move her wedding up to ensure her mom could be there. The patient and family discussed the possibility of the patient being allowed to leave to attend her daughter’s wedding ceremony with her physician team. Once she was granted permission, she and her husband asked Tom if he would consider going with her to the ceremony to provide support. Tom rearranged his work schedule to be off that shift and accompanied the patient to her daughter’s wedding ceremony. His words: “it was such a gift for me and had such a profound impact on my life. I am forever grateful for the time I had with this patient and family. They made a difference for me and reminded me of why I became a nurse”.

Significant Difference:
As the case above exemplifies, Tom made a significant difference for that patient and her family by allowing the patient to attend her daughter’s wedding, knowing that Tom was there in case she needed assistance. Another recent example of his ability to make a significant difference in a patient's or family's life is illustrated by a letter from the wife of a patient whom Tom cared for during a rapid response. The wife explained that “Tom walked into our room and lived and comforted us by taking charge. His ability to blend critical care with compassion was truly incredible to witness. He saved my husband’s life. We are most grateful for Tom’s skill and for his human compassion. We will never forget him.”