Kurt A Williams
December 2022
Kurt
Williams
,
BSN, RN
Medical Observation and Behavioral Health Holding
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
Kurt knew exactly how to make him feel at ease and comfortable. Kurt spent extra time with this patient helping him cut his hair and shave, allowing him to feel and look his best, even though he was in the hospital.
From the minute I started working on 6B, I knew I was going to enjoy working with Kurt. His fun, energetic personality creates a sense of ease and humor around the unit and makes it very easy to feel comfortable. His low, deep, booming voice allows his teammates to feel a certain safety when he's around; when we see Kurt on the schedule, we know it's going to be a great night.
One of the things that impresses me the most about Kurt is his care and commitment to our long-term, and sometimes difficult, patients. I was especially touched to see the way he interacted with one of our previous long-term patients with significant autism. This patient could be very unpredictable, and borderline dangerous when triggered. However, Kurt knew exactly how to make him feel at ease and comfortable. Kurt spent extra time with this patient helping him cut his hair and shave, allowing him to feel and look his best, even though he was in the hospital. He joked around with him and was able to connect in a way the rest of us couldn't.
Another long-term patient with a similar diagnosis was here over Christmas, so on Christmas Eve, Kurt brought one of his own Christmas sweaters to gift to this patient, so that he could have something fun and festive to wear for the holiday. The sweater was the patient's to keep, and the look in his eye upon receiving this gift was priceless.
As I am writing this nomination, Kurt has been sitting in a patient's room for close to an hour explaining the IVC process and letting her share her story. This is not the first time I have seen him do this, and his level of compassion is inspiring. Kurt never fails to step up to the plate with challenging patients. Whether it's gifting his own clothing, helping the gentlemen clean up, giving the ladies a little sparkle in their eye, or helping his teammates feel safe, he never stops. The last year and a half working with Kurt has been a true pleasure, and I look forward to seeing even more positive impacts made on his behalf.
***
One of my favorite things about Kurt Williams, BSN, RN is the fact that this teammate made a career change later in his life and landed in a role that he was truly destined for. This teammate is VERY tall, and broad-shouldered with a booming, deep voice but his compassion and passion for going above and beyond to help others will surprise you every time. Kurt Williams quietly goes far beyond the duties of a bedside nurse to deliver compassionate, exceptional care to ALL of his patients.
There are countless examples I can give describing the kindness Kurt has extended toward our patients, especially our patients who have spent an extended amount of time on our unit awaiting placement. Kurt is always the first one to hunt through his closet for clothing to donate to our patients ahead of discharge, a visit from family, or an interview with a nursing home for placement. Not only does he graciously re-stock our JB Clothing Closet frequently, but he also actually takes the time to look through what he has in his home with a patient in mind and deliver that clothing item to that very patient he was “shopping” for. He is truly the definition of that person who will “give you the clothing off his back.”
Best of all, I call Kurt our 6B barber. Kurt has given several patients excellent haircuts and beard trimmings. From our sweet, nonverbal, unpredictable male patient with autism to our adorable, confused female patient with dementia, Kurt quietly steps up to offer his hair salon-grade services to patients without them even asking. I think Kurt is mindful of a patient’s sense of dignity, hygiene, and self-confidence, which is why he takes it upon himself to offer and provide these patients with a haircut.
We always say that our patients are at their most vulnerable during their inpatient hospitalization and likely at their “rock bottom.” Kurt provides our patients with that extra compassion to help our patients feel more whole, more “human” again. I am brought to tears remembering all the patients who have proudly sauntered up to the nurse’s station to show off the handsome new haircut they received quietly on night shift. The look on our patients’ faces and wide grins say it all. Kurt certainly does not do these things for recognition—in that big heart of his to match his stature and big personality—Kurt constantly practices with love, compassion, kindness and mindfulness of our patient’s entire being.
One of the things that impresses me the most about Kurt is his care and commitment to our long-term, and sometimes difficult, patients. I was especially touched to see the way he interacted with one of our previous long-term patients with significant autism. This patient could be very unpredictable, and borderline dangerous when triggered. However, Kurt knew exactly how to make him feel at ease and comfortable. Kurt spent extra time with this patient helping him cut his hair and shave, allowing him to feel and look his best, even though he was in the hospital. He joked around with him and was able to connect in a way the rest of us couldn't.
Another long-term patient with a similar diagnosis was here over Christmas, so on Christmas Eve, Kurt brought one of his own Christmas sweaters to gift to this patient, so that he could have something fun and festive to wear for the holiday. The sweater was the patient's to keep, and the look in his eye upon receiving this gift was priceless.
As I am writing this nomination, Kurt has been sitting in a patient's room for close to an hour explaining the IVC process and letting her share her story. This is not the first time I have seen him do this, and his level of compassion is inspiring. Kurt never fails to step up to the plate with challenging patients. Whether it's gifting his own clothing, helping the gentlemen clean up, giving the ladies a little sparkle in their eye, or helping his teammates feel safe, he never stops. The last year and a half working with Kurt has been a true pleasure, and I look forward to seeing even more positive impacts made on his behalf.
***
One of my favorite things about Kurt Williams, BSN, RN is the fact that this teammate made a career change later in his life and landed in a role that he was truly destined for. This teammate is VERY tall, and broad-shouldered with a booming, deep voice but his compassion and passion for going above and beyond to help others will surprise you every time. Kurt Williams quietly goes far beyond the duties of a bedside nurse to deliver compassionate, exceptional care to ALL of his patients.
There are countless examples I can give describing the kindness Kurt has extended toward our patients, especially our patients who have spent an extended amount of time on our unit awaiting placement. Kurt is always the first one to hunt through his closet for clothing to donate to our patients ahead of discharge, a visit from family, or an interview with a nursing home for placement. Not only does he graciously re-stock our JB Clothing Closet frequently, but he also actually takes the time to look through what he has in his home with a patient in mind and deliver that clothing item to that very patient he was “shopping” for. He is truly the definition of that person who will “give you the clothing off his back.”
Best of all, I call Kurt our 6B barber. Kurt has given several patients excellent haircuts and beard trimmings. From our sweet, nonverbal, unpredictable male patient with autism to our adorable, confused female patient with dementia, Kurt quietly steps up to offer his hair salon-grade services to patients without them even asking. I think Kurt is mindful of a patient’s sense of dignity, hygiene, and self-confidence, which is why he takes it upon himself to offer and provide these patients with a haircut.
We always say that our patients are at their most vulnerable during their inpatient hospitalization and likely at their “rock bottom.” Kurt provides our patients with that extra compassion to help our patients feel more whole, more “human” again. I am brought to tears remembering all the patients who have proudly sauntered up to the nurse’s station to show off the handsome new haircut they received quietly on night shift. The look on our patients’ faces and wide grins say it all. Kurt certainly does not do these things for recognition—in that big heart of his to match his stature and big personality—Kurt constantly practices with love, compassion, kindness and mindfulness of our patient’s entire being.