Samuel Krekos
September 2024
Samuel
Krekos
,
MSN, BSN, RN
CVICU - 6NS
Banner University Medical Center - Tucson
Tucson
,
AZ
United States
Left all alone, Sam got on his phone while doing one-handed compressions and called for help. They were able to transcutaneously pace the patient until they were able to safely replace the cordis and the transvenous pacer. Sam had literally “singlehandedly” just saved this man’s life.
I have now worked with Sam for quite a number of years. He has consistently shown how amazing he is at his job on any given day, and without question, he deserves to be recognized and honored. He is an absolutely wonderful human and has such a kind heart. No matter how terrible of a day he is having, he still manages to maintain a positive attitude. His cheery personality is contagious. Even on the most awful day (and he has quite a few), he always has the best attitude.
Sam has so many inspiring and touching stories, but one that will always stand out to me and will forever make me tear up is the time he picked up his patient from a procedural area. His patient was 100% dependent on his transvenous pacer, which was threaded through his cordis. In the hustle and bustle of moving the patient over from the procedure table to the bed his cordis was inadvertently pulled out. The patient went a systolic, and Sam immediately got on the bed and started compressions. Unfortunately, the other staff in the room, in their panic, were in denial and initially did not believe the patient was actually in asystole. As Sam was doing compressions, he asked that one of them get the code cart; unbelievably, in the heat of the moment ALL of them left him to go find help or get a code cart. Left all alone, Sam got on his phone while doing one-handed compressions and called for help. They were able to transcutaneously pace the patient until they were able to safely replace the cordis and the transvenous pacer. Sam had literally “singlehandedly” just saved this man’s life.
The best part of this story is that, to this day, this gentleman still reaches out to Sam to say thank you for saving his life. The reason I know about this story is because one day, when I was charge, I received a call from this gentleman who asked if Sam was working that day. I told him that Sam was unfortunately not working, but could I pass on a message to him? He replied, that it was his last day of cardiac rehab, and he wanted to come up and thank Sam again, because if it wasn’t for him, he would not be alive and completing his course of rehab. As I fought back tears of intense emotion, I assured him that I would pass on the message.
As soon as I could, I asked Sam to tell me the full story and I have been in awe of his strength of spirit, and depth of character ever since.
I could go on and on about Sam, but another short story is about a time when he was caring for a young woman. She had an extremely sad situation, and she had gotten to a point where there was nothing more that could be medically done for her. I believe having to withdraw on a conscious person is by far one of the most difficult tasks in nursing. The mixture of emotions that goes along with it can be extremely painful. Sharing those last moments with the patient and their families while staying professional to complete the task is extremely difficult. It does not happen very often, but when it does, as sad and difficult as it may be, it is the utmost honor to be asked by the patient to care for them in those last moments. For this young woman to specifically ask that Sam be her person, I think that in itself speaks a lot to the level of care he gives and character he possesses.
When I think about those who should be honored with an award, I think of the nurses who consistently provide this type of care every single shift. Day in and day out, they provide outstanding, compassionate care, always demonstrate an extraordinary work ethic, and regularly seek to encourage and look out for co-workers/teammates. They care for patients and families as they were their own; and I think that Sam consistently emulates these things.
His patients and their families, as well as his co-workers greatly appreciate his expertise and exuberant attitude. He is someone you want to have in those “uh-oh” moments because he will undoubtedly have your back. He is an absolute joy to work with and he provides outstanding, compassionate care to all of his patients consistently every single day and it is for this reason that I nominate Sam to receive the honor of a DAISY Award.
Sam has so many inspiring and touching stories, but one that will always stand out to me and will forever make me tear up is the time he picked up his patient from a procedural area. His patient was 100% dependent on his transvenous pacer, which was threaded through his cordis. In the hustle and bustle of moving the patient over from the procedure table to the bed his cordis was inadvertently pulled out. The patient went a systolic, and Sam immediately got on the bed and started compressions. Unfortunately, the other staff in the room, in their panic, were in denial and initially did not believe the patient was actually in asystole. As Sam was doing compressions, he asked that one of them get the code cart; unbelievably, in the heat of the moment ALL of them left him to go find help or get a code cart. Left all alone, Sam got on his phone while doing one-handed compressions and called for help. They were able to transcutaneously pace the patient until they were able to safely replace the cordis and the transvenous pacer. Sam had literally “singlehandedly” just saved this man’s life.
The best part of this story is that, to this day, this gentleman still reaches out to Sam to say thank you for saving his life. The reason I know about this story is because one day, when I was charge, I received a call from this gentleman who asked if Sam was working that day. I told him that Sam was unfortunately not working, but could I pass on a message to him? He replied, that it was his last day of cardiac rehab, and he wanted to come up and thank Sam again, because if it wasn’t for him, he would not be alive and completing his course of rehab. As I fought back tears of intense emotion, I assured him that I would pass on the message.
As soon as I could, I asked Sam to tell me the full story and I have been in awe of his strength of spirit, and depth of character ever since.
I could go on and on about Sam, but another short story is about a time when he was caring for a young woman. She had an extremely sad situation, and she had gotten to a point where there was nothing more that could be medically done for her. I believe having to withdraw on a conscious person is by far one of the most difficult tasks in nursing. The mixture of emotions that goes along with it can be extremely painful. Sharing those last moments with the patient and their families while staying professional to complete the task is extremely difficult. It does not happen very often, but when it does, as sad and difficult as it may be, it is the utmost honor to be asked by the patient to care for them in those last moments. For this young woman to specifically ask that Sam be her person, I think that in itself speaks a lot to the level of care he gives and character he possesses.
When I think about those who should be honored with an award, I think of the nurses who consistently provide this type of care every single shift. Day in and day out, they provide outstanding, compassionate care, always demonstrate an extraordinary work ethic, and regularly seek to encourage and look out for co-workers/teammates. They care for patients and families as they were their own; and I think that Sam consistently emulates these things.
His patients and their families, as well as his co-workers greatly appreciate his expertise and exuberant attitude. He is someone you want to have in those “uh-oh” moments because he will undoubtedly have your back. He is an absolute joy to work with and he provides outstanding, compassionate care to all of his patients consistently every single day and it is for this reason that I nominate Sam to receive the honor of a DAISY Award.