Tamera Compasso
January 2025
Tamera
Compasso
,
BSN, RN, CDCES, CPT
Walton Primary Care
United Health Services
Walton
,
NY
United States
The relief I felt from meeting and talking with Tammy was overwhelmingly incredible—I had finally found a resource that was not only knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in me as a person and my specific situation.
After being admitted to the hospital with DKA, told I needed to undergo a triple bypass CABG, and now having recovered well enough to begin cardiac rehab, I felt very overwhelmed by my new diabetes diagnosis. I received no outreach or support from the endocrinology department post-discharge and was desperately trying to manage my blood sugar levels and insulin injections on my own, figuring out which foods I could eat and in what combinations while being truly frightened that I would do something wrong and end up back in the hospital. When I shared my frustration and concerns with my incredible Cardiac Rehab team, my head nurse reached out to Tamera Compasso, who came over to the rehab center within minutes to offer her assistance. Tammy truly saved my life that day! She immediately began helping me understand what diabetes is, how the long and short-term insulin I was taking works, and what foods to eat in what proportions to manage my condition. She provided me with printed copies of glycemic index charts and their carb exchange values, explained how to read labels, and how to create meals that align with the guidelines I now needed to be acutely aware of. The relief I felt from meeting and talking with Tammy was overwhelmingly incredible—I had finally found a resource that was not only knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in me as a person and my specific situation.
I went into the hospital in DKA at 120 lbs. and was discharged at 108 lbs., with three new bypass artery grafts and a brand new diabetes diagnosis, having received little more than an hour of education in the hospital. I had been more overwhelmed than I realized with everything I went through. Tammy helped me understand what tests I would need to determine if I was a Type I or Type II diabetic and the differences between the two conditions. She gave me her contact information so I could schedule an appointment anytime I needed or wanted with her going forward. When I reached out a few weeks later after my initial appointment with my endocrinologist to schedule an appointment, she was able to see me almost immediately. Not only had she reviewed all my test results the night before, but she also prepared additional information and materials for me, especially since I do not fit the typical profile for someone with Type II diabetes, despite my test results suggesting otherwise. She provided me with additional insights and information, helped me understand my specific nutritional needs in greater depth, and most importantly, truly saw me as a person and not just another faceless patient. Tammy has literally saved my sanity and my life, helping me gain understanding about my new normal—how to not just live but also thrive despite my diagnosis, and to finally feel like I have a champion in my corner who's paying attention to me and not some nameless profile. She embodies everything this award stands for and is, in my opinion, an incredible role model for any provider. She is my angel on earth through this crazy new journey.