I am an employee here at DRH and experienced a personal tragedy that brought me here as a visitor instead of an employee. My mother came to DRH after suffering a hemorrhagic brain bleed at her brainstem. She was immediately placed on life support and taken to 5T where she remained until her passing. Over those 6 days, Mackenzie made such an impact on me and my family that I feel must be recognized.
During my mother's stay here I did not leave her side. This gave me time to see everything that Mackenzie did for my mother and my family. Taking the time to care so gently and thoroughly for her. Mackenzie has a great heart and his compassion and nursing skills were obvious in all that he did. What impressed me the most was his concern and compassion for my family. During the times that I was alone with my mom, Mackenzie was always around if I needed anything, even finding small moments to keep me company in between caring for other patients. He was quick to offer any accommodations that might make my stay more comfortable. His communication with my family about my mom's care was amazing.
My family had planned to withdraw my mother's life support with my 3 brothers and me by her side. As my brothers were on the way to the hospital that morning the hospital shared the news that crushed us. Due to COVID-19, the visitor restrictions had changed and stated that no visitors were to be allowed in the hospital. Immediately, my worst fear came to my mind, the thought that my mother would ultimately pass without her family there with her. As they arrived, they were turned away by security and I began making plans for them to be able to say goodbye via FaceTime. As this pandemic was so new to our hospital I began questioning protocol as everyone seemed to be unsure of what exactly would be allowed, this was another time that Mackenzie was able to provide help to my family. Mackenzie immediately stepped in and began making phone calls to anyone that he could to try to determine what protocols had been set in place for this situation. He worked throughout the day to find answers for my family and me. By the end of the day, it was determined that my family would be allowed in the hospital the following day to say their final goodbyes. Without Mackenzie's help I don't know if we would have gotten that chance. Mackenzie was also extremely helpful with the Gift of Life process as well.
After removing life support, my family was able to sit bedside with my mom while she fought through her last hours with us. Mackenzie was always nearby with great professionalism, courtesy, and compassion. He even surprised my family by providing lunch for us as we were all too scared to leave my mother's side. His concern and sympathy for my family did not stop the day my mother passed, when I have run into him here at work he has continued to check on me and my family and offer his condolences with a handwritten card. This is something so special that we will never forget and we would like to thank Mackenzie for everything he has done.
With all that being said I would like to reiterate, Mackenzie's clinical skills are only exceeded by the level of compassion with which he uses those skills. He went above and beyond what was expected to help make accommodations for my family and made a stressful time more bearable by helping my family feel at ease. My family is truly blessed to have had him as our mother's nurse.
I cannot think of another person who is more deserving of a nursing excellence award, because Mackenzie is truly amazing.