On one recent morning, Lori and I were walking down the hall on 3C after morning huddle in the conference room. There was a lady standing in the hall near a patient room, who was visibly upset - crying with her head down. When we reached the woman, Lori stopped and placed her hand on this woman's shoulder and asked, "What can I do for you?" This grandmother looked up at Lori with tear-filled eyes and explained that her grandson had just been diagnosed with leukemia. Lori listened intently, and then said, "I'm on my way to get some coffee, why don't you just come with me!" This grandmother was obviously appreciative and DID go with Lori (back to Lori's unit, 4C, where Lori made and served her coffee).

Later in the day, I asked Lori about the grandmother and she said, with a smile on her face, "She sat in my office and we just drank coffee and chatted for a long time!"

Lori's compassionate and empathetic heart is apparent in her everyday interactions with patients and families. But on this day, particularly, she was a role model for compassionate care! :-)