I would like to recognize my coworker Kelli Jo Hammack for all the times she goes above and beyond to provide excellent patient care. I would like to include a few examples of what she has done in the past. Recently, one of our patients could not be discharged home because of a lack of suitable equipment. Our caseworkers were running into problems finding help with installing the equipment in our patient's house. Kelli and her husband went to the patient's house on their own time and built the needed ramp. Her family has recently gone through a tragedy but still will make sure that our patients have what they need.
Another situation is when one of our comfort care patients passed away, and Kelli clocked out after her shift and stayed with the deceased patient, per wife's request, until his body was picked up. The spouse asked Kelli to stay and help with post-mortem care, and Kelli stayed and did this on her own time.
A patient needed help moving from his home into a nursing home, and did not have the resources to assist with this. Kelli and her husband again, on their own time, assisted with time and vehicles to get this done. Patients are always praising the care they receive from her, and always requesting to have her back. Kelli Jo is the kind of nurse that a person is proud to have as a coworker. The quality of care, attitude, and leadership she brings are what should make St. Charles proud. If I was ever to become ill, she is the nurse I would want to take care of me! She is an advocate for her patients and makes sure that their wishes are followed.