Natascha Benz Wolfinger
January 2026
Natascha
Benz Wolfinger
,
RN
Surgical Step Down Unit
UCI Health- Orange
Orange
,
CA
United States
Natascha is overtly and behind the scenes amazing with her sincere caring for the patients on SSDU.
This upcoming example (one of many) of her outstanding work was on a day that we were sharing patients in a double room. My patient had a high level of anxiety due to a motorcycle accident resulting in back injuries, placing limits on his mobility, and the uncertainty he had about whether he would be able to return to work. He is the sole provider for his wife and two children.
The patient had refused to attempt to get out of bed with PT/OT. He was angry. Emotional support, acupuncture, therapy dogs, chaplain services, and aromatherapy were all refused.
After checking on her patient in the room, Natascha stopped by his bed to ask if she could do anything for him as she was exiting. She sensed he needed additional emotional support. The patient mentioned he might be ready to get OOB.
Without pausing to pass the task to me or the SHA, Natascha spent the time to help so the patient wouldn't have to wait another moment. She adjusted the walker to ensure it was perfect for his height, patiently waited while the patient dangled and walked with him in the hall, and determined that he was steady and capable of safely ambulating.
She took her time, showing him a beautiful window at the end of the hall with a spectacular view. Natascha let me know the patient had ambulated, so I could be aware of his activity level.
She doesn't boast of her good deeds. It was the patient and other staff members who shared the time she took to ensure the walker was perfectly adjusted to him and ensure he didn't feel rushed.
For the next two days the patient raved over how the entire staff cares about him. This was the patient's 5th hospitalization due to motorcycle accidents. He mentioned all the other outside hospitals he had been admitted to on prior accidents, stating that this was the BEST due to the genuine caring and collaboration of the staff. He's not a stranger to the medical system.
His physical and emotional needs had a remarkable turnaround due to the care of Natascha. This is only one example of the type of care consistently demonstrated by Natascha.
She also helped with my anxious trach patient when we shared patients in a double room, suctioning and offering emotional support. She frequently volunteers whenever any patient is in need.
Patients notice and share her impact. I profess that she is endlessly kind.
This upcoming example (one of many) of her outstanding work was on a day that we were sharing patients in a double room. My patient had a high level of anxiety due to a motorcycle accident resulting in back injuries, placing limits on his mobility, and the uncertainty he had about whether he would be able to return to work. He is the sole provider for his wife and two children.
The patient had refused to attempt to get out of bed with PT/OT. He was angry. Emotional support, acupuncture, therapy dogs, chaplain services, and aromatherapy were all refused.
After checking on her patient in the room, Natascha stopped by his bed to ask if she could do anything for him as she was exiting. She sensed he needed additional emotional support. The patient mentioned he might be ready to get OOB.
Without pausing to pass the task to me or the SHA, Natascha spent the time to help so the patient wouldn't have to wait another moment. She adjusted the walker to ensure it was perfect for his height, patiently waited while the patient dangled and walked with him in the hall, and determined that he was steady and capable of safely ambulating.
She took her time, showing him a beautiful window at the end of the hall with a spectacular view. Natascha let me know the patient had ambulated, so I could be aware of his activity level.
She doesn't boast of her good deeds. It was the patient and other staff members who shared the time she took to ensure the walker was perfectly adjusted to him and ensure he didn't feel rushed.
For the next two days the patient raved over how the entire staff cares about him. This was the patient's 5th hospitalization due to motorcycle accidents. He mentioned all the other outside hospitals he had been admitted to on prior accidents, stating that this was the BEST due to the genuine caring and collaboration of the staff. He's not a stranger to the medical system.
His physical and emotional needs had a remarkable turnaround due to the care of Natascha. This is only one example of the type of care consistently demonstrated by Natascha.
She also helped with my anxious trach patient when we shared patients in a double room, suctioning and offering emotional support. She frequently volunteers whenever any patient is in need.
Patients notice and share her impact. I profess that she is endlessly kind.