Courtney
Winchester
August 2010
Courtney
Winchester
,
RN
Maternity Services
Atrium Health - University City
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
Courtney Winchester
I would like to nominate Courtney Winchester for the care and compassion she showed to one of our new moms who was going through the turmoil of trying to decide whether or not to put her baby up for adoption. This mom came to CMC-University as a late entry to care and during her tour she discussed with Danielle her wish to give her baby up for adoption. The adoption was not fully complete prior to her admission for labor. Once the baby delivered the mom felt extreme stress over having to decide whether or not to keep the baby. Courtney cared for this mom on Postpartum Day 1 and the next day which was her day of discharge. Since the mom was undecided about adoption she wanted to have full contact with the baby and breastfeed. Courtney was right there at her bedside supporting her 100% without hesitation the whole way. Courtney was so kind and tender with this mom as she listened to her concerns over why she should or should not keep the baby. (The father of the baby was not involved, she has recently lost her job, her parents did not support the idea of having an unwed mother for a daughter, she was bonding with the baby). Courtney supported this mom each time she changed her mind and worked with social work to get the adoption started. Each time the patient struggled with whether or not to sign Courtney was there for her while at the same time taking excellent care of all of her other patients. On the morning of discharge it was reported to Courtney the mom made her final decision to give the baby up for adoption. When she entered the room the mom was again undecided and crying. Courtney got pastoral care involved. She acted as a liaison between the mom an her parents and insured the mom felt familial support but was also given alone time with the baby to thing about her decision. In addition on the day of discharge the father of the baby showed up and this was very upsetting to the mom. Courtney was very patient with the mom and the dad acted and facilitated conversation between the two until the mom allowed the dad to see the baby and be a part of the decision about the care of the baby. Both of the parents came to a mutual agreement to allow the adoption. The mom wanted to have the baby blessed before being discharged so Courtney worked with pastoral care to have a small ceremony held in our chapel at discharge in which she as well as Jean Peterson attended along with the dad, mom’s parents, and the adoptive parents. This gave the mom a great sense of peace that she had mad the right decision. The mom still is in contact with Courtney and she still offers her support. The mom sends her pictures that she receives from the adoptive family of this healthy beautiful baby in her new home.
This is one example of how Courtney opens her heart to her patients however she consistently goes above and beyond to provide excellent compassionate care to all her patients.
I would like to nominate Courtney Winchester for the care and compassion she showed to one of our new moms who was going through the turmoil of trying to decide whether or not to put her baby up for adoption. This mom came to CMC-University as a late entry to care and during her tour she discussed with Danielle her wish to give her baby up for adoption. The adoption was not fully complete prior to her admission for labor. Once the baby delivered the mom felt extreme stress over having to decide whether or not to keep the baby. Courtney cared for this mom on Postpartum Day 1 and the next day which was her day of discharge. Since the mom was undecided about adoption she wanted to have full contact with the baby and breastfeed. Courtney was right there at her bedside supporting her 100% without hesitation the whole way. Courtney was so kind and tender with this mom as she listened to her concerns over why she should or should not keep the baby. (The father of the baby was not involved, she has recently lost her job, her parents did not support the idea of having an unwed mother for a daughter, she was bonding with the baby). Courtney supported this mom each time she changed her mind and worked with social work to get the adoption started. Each time the patient struggled with whether or not to sign Courtney was there for her while at the same time taking excellent care of all of her other patients. On the morning of discharge it was reported to Courtney the mom made her final decision to give the baby up for adoption. When she entered the room the mom was again undecided and crying. Courtney got pastoral care involved. She acted as a liaison between the mom an her parents and insured the mom felt familial support but was also given alone time with the baby to thing about her decision. In addition on the day of discharge the father of the baby showed up and this was very upsetting to the mom. Courtney was very patient with the mom and the dad acted and facilitated conversation between the two until the mom allowed the dad to see the baby and be a part of the decision about the care of the baby. Both of the parents came to a mutual agreement to allow the adoption. The mom wanted to have the baby blessed before being discharged so Courtney worked with pastoral care to have a small ceremony held in our chapel at discharge in which she as well as Jean Peterson attended along with the dad, mom’s parents, and the adoptive parents. This gave the mom a great sense of peace that she had mad the right decision. The mom still is in contact with Courtney and she still offers her support. The mom sends her pictures that she receives from the adoptive family of this healthy beautiful baby in her new home.
This is one example of how Courtney opens her heart to her patients however she consistently goes above and beyond to provide excellent compassionate care to all her patients.