I had the pleasure of taking care of one of our smallest patients in the NICU. Brooke cared for our tiny baby on the night shift. When I arrived on shift Sunday morning, Brooke gave me a report and then shared that she had spent her shift just “loving on our baby.” Brooke treated this baby with the utmost respect and dignity. Although in a very critical state, Brooke took the time to read to her and sing to her. She showed me the books that she read to her that night, one being The Night Before Christmas. As the baby began to show signs of being uncomfortable, Brooke advocated for sedation for the little girl so she was free of pain and discomfort. Her vital signs began to stabilize, and when I arrived on shift, the baby looked very comfortable thanks to Brooke being the voice for the patient and expressing her needs to the providers.
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Brooke provided the care that I would want for my own family and/or children. Brooke even took the time to ensure that the parents had mementos, including footprints, scrapbook pages, and an ornament filled with things that we use during the baby’s stay.
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Brooke far surpassed the Franciscan mission and values in the care she provided to this little miracle baby. I’m always proud to call her a peer, but today even more so. I saw someone who was taking such amazing care of this little human, not for accolades, but because that is what she deserved.