We often have the opportunity to truly be present for our patients when they are in times of transition. Recently, one of our nurses reached out with love and compassion to a patient entering hospice care.

“We recently had a patient who was being transferred to hospice. This patient was signed up to have her hair done by the hairdresser the upcoming Sunday. A member of the patient’s family approached unit clerk MaryAnn Sleeman at the desk with tears in her eyes and asked if there was any way that this patient could get her hair done prior to leaving our unit. MaryAnn mentioned this to the patient’s nurse, Sue Bush, who at the time was busy with other patients and passing meds. Sue told MaryAnn that she would do it after she finished distributing the meds and asked her to locate some shampoo, rollers and a hair dryer. She followed through and styled this patient’s hair. The patient and her family members were so very pleased to witness this act of compassion and kindness.”

Sue was very surprised and humbled to be honored at her DAISY celebration last week, surrounded by her co-workers. For Sue, this act of kindness was nothing out of the ordinary. It definitely is not “part of her job” to do a patient’s hair, but for Sue, it’s a part of who she is…always reaching out with care and compassion to all of her patients.