A beloved Valley physician was terminally ill in the intensive care unit. He has been an integral part of Valley’s soul and character, particularly in the early days.

With his terminal illness, the need for him to be present at his first (and maybe only) Bris Milah for his grandson transformed from a conversation to an urgent matter where time was the enemy. When his family asked if they could have the Bris Milah in the hospital, I thought it would be a nice thing to do, but I did not think it would even be a possibility.

Ashlee Spurlock was the charge nurse on Friday afternoon, and I relayed the request and the interaction, not believing anything would come of it. Ashlee asked me a couple of details (how many people, how long, etc.), and without me asking her to, she went forward to call various factions within the hospital, hoping to arrange for such a request. When I approached the nurses’ station 45 minutes later, she was still on the phone with Legal, Patient Relations, and Risk Management. 

To my shock and to the delight of his family, a family going through a swell of pain none of us should ever encounter, the request was granted. The Bris Milah took place. The procedure was today,  and I can guarantee you it was the most beautiful event to have taken place under the roof of Valley in Paramus. It was beautiful on so many levels, and it was only accomplished because Ashlee Spurlock went above and beyond, putting forth undying efforts to make this work.

This act and action that requires one to go above and beyond, I consistently see from Ashlee. In fact, the only thing missing from the ceremony was Ashlee herself (as it was her day off). From what other nurses have told me, the highest honor that can be given to a nurse is the DAISY Award. The award is based not only on nursing skills and leadership, but also on character and humanism. Not only did she bring out the best of Valley Hospital, but maybe even the very best of ourselves.