L-R: Asst. Administrator Liz McNamara, DAISY winner Imani Asante, Trauma/Rehab Mgr Karen Ruppert, Chief Nursing Office Darcy Jaffe
April 2013
Imani
Asante
,
RN
Trauma/Rehab
Harborview Medical Center
Seattle
,
WA
United States
Imani Asante was my primary nurse for many weeks while I was in the rehab unit at Harborview Medical Center in recovery from a spinal cord injury. Although I had many fine nurses in the rehab unit as well as ICU and Critical Care, Imani clearly stood out as the finest. In fact, from the first day I was in rehab, I knew he was the nurse I wanted as my primary caregiver, so I specifically asked the unit manager to assign him to me.
Not only was he very attentive to my needs, Imani usually anticipated many of those needs and had a solution ready at hand. In working with me, Imani was compassionate and clearly skilled in his nursing care. Due to my injury, there were many everyday tasks I could not perform, and Imani was required to assist me in much of my daily personal-care activities. He performed these tasks not only professionally, but just as importantly with respect, a smile and frequently a joke. He was always very friendly and clearly very knowledgeable. His cheerful nature helped keep my spirits up and my attitude positive, which I sincerely believe has helped in my recovery.
I also noticed that the nursing assistants in the unit would request to work with Imani and it wasn't unusual for my physicians to ask his opinion on many of my treatment issues. Imani clearly had the respect of everyone on the unit. He frequently had nursing students working with him, and I noticed he would occasionally delegate more complex nursing tasks to them while closely supervising their activities. He also scheduled extra time with my wife to train her on specific responsibilities of my care that she would have to manage when I returned home. She remembers him as a patient and positive mentor.
Imani is not only very knowledgeable and professional in the performance of his nursing responsibilities; he is clearly recognized by his peers as a leader and mentor to others. He performs all these duties with a smile and good nature and serves to exemplify what we think of as a medical professional. Imani made a real difference in my life. I will never forget him.
Not only was he very attentive to my needs, Imani usually anticipated many of those needs and had a solution ready at hand. In working with me, Imani was compassionate and clearly skilled in his nursing care. Due to my injury, there were many everyday tasks I could not perform, and Imani was required to assist me in much of my daily personal-care activities. He performed these tasks not only professionally, but just as importantly with respect, a smile and frequently a joke. He was always very friendly and clearly very knowledgeable. His cheerful nature helped keep my spirits up and my attitude positive, which I sincerely believe has helped in my recovery.
I also noticed that the nursing assistants in the unit would request to work with Imani and it wasn't unusual for my physicians to ask his opinion on many of my treatment issues. Imani clearly had the respect of everyone on the unit. He frequently had nursing students working with him, and I noticed he would occasionally delegate more complex nursing tasks to them while closely supervising their activities. He also scheduled extra time with my wife to train her on specific responsibilities of my care that she would have to manage when I returned home. She remembers him as a patient and positive mentor.
Imani is not only very knowledgeable and professional in the performance of his nursing responsibilities; he is clearly recognized by his peers as a leader and mentor to others. He performs all these duties with a smile and good nature and serves to exemplify what we think of as a medical professional. Imani made a real difference in my life. I will never forget him.