January 2021
Mallorie
Gordon
,
BSN, RN
6FG
UPMC Presbyterian
As a motivator for J to keep pushing every day to get stronger, Mo promised she would get him a signed football from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As the COVID pandemic peaked in the hospital, Mo met the challenge to care for these very ill and complex ICU patients. She especially made it her mission to bring a positive attitude and encouragement to each patient she cared for. As the weeks passed Mo was often assigned to care for J, a 35-year-old man who developed COVID-19 pneumonia and required ECMO.
Because of his illness, J was severely deconditioned, trached, and developed skin breakdown and bilateral leg ischemia from being on ECMO. Even though J was a COVID-19 survivor, his road to recovery was going to be extremely long and difficult. Mo was consistently assigned to care for J. While he was physically making progress, he was depressed and anxious. J did not want to participate in physical therapy and was becoming more withdrawn. Mo realized that if he was going to continue his recovery he needed to be in a more positive mindset and made it her mission to bring some joy and happiness to his ICU stay.
Each shift Mo cared for J she would ask him what he liked to do before COVID such as hobbies, music, games, etc. When Mo mentioned sports she finally got a flicker of excitement from J and he began telling her how much he loved the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a motivator for J to keep pushing every day to get stronger, Mo promised she would get him a signed football from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mo then began her mission to get J's football. She did a "deep dive" on the internet to find contact information for anyone in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. She was able to find the email address of a member of the Steelers front office and sent him an email explaining everything J had gone through and how his love of the Steelers was motivating him during recovery.
The Steelers graciously responded to Mo and sent a football signed by Devin Bush to J. Mo was even able to present the football to him making good on her promise. Mo is an extremely passionate nurse, and this is only one example of how she is willing to advocate for and motivate her patients. She is a patient care role model on 6FG and her enthusiasm and positive attitude have a profound impact on every patient she interacts with.
Because of his illness, J was severely deconditioned, trached, and developed skin breakdown and bilateral leg ischemia from being on ECMO. Even though J was a COVID-19 survivor, his road to recovery was going to be extremely long and difficult. Mo was consistently assigned to care for J. While he was physically making progress, he was depressed and anxious. J did not want to participate in physical therapy and was becoming more withdrawn. Mo realized that if he was going to continue his recovery he needed to be in a more positive mindset and made it her mission to bring some joy and happiness to his ICU stay.
Each shift Mo cared for J she would ask him what he liked to do before COVID such as hobbies, music, games, etc. When Mo mentioned sports she finally got a flicker of excitement from J and he began telling her how much he loved the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a motivator for J to keep pushing every day to get stronger, Mo promised she would get him a signed football from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mo then began her mission to get J's football. She did a "deep dive" on the internet to find contact information for anyone in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. She was able to find the email address of a member of the Steelers front office and sent him an email explaining everything J had gone through and how his love of the Steelers was motivating him during recovery.
The Steelers graciously responded to Mo and sent a football signed by Devin Bush to J. Mo was even able to present the football to him making good on her promise. Mo is an extremely passionate nurse, and this is only one example of how she is willing to advocate for and motivate her patients. She is a patient care role model on 6FG and her enthusiasm and positive attitude have a profound impact on every patient she interacts with.