Tammy is a nurse with a huge heart. Not only is she an experienced nurse who has been tirelessly providing excellent care to patients for nearly 30 years, she started her service to patients at the City of Austin (before Brackenridge), then went to CHOA, and now at DCMC in the Specialty Care Center where she works with orthopedic patients. She quietly goes about her work and is an unsung hero in our clinic.

Tammy builds strong relationships with our patients and families; she remembers personal details and engages with families with such a warm welcome. She brings that personalized experience to clinic visits with our orthospine patient population. Children with chronic health care issues often have spine issues and she has seen children grow up and has developed such a rapport with these families in particular. I love watching families smile when they see her.

As an LVN who has been with Ascension for several years, Tammy is sought out by peers for support. She is considered an expert in the outpatient setting and is often looked up to by her outpatient peers. Working with her is always seamless, she is organized and is great about communicating patient needs with the team.

Recently, a patient's mother had a lot of anxiety regarding the halo traction process here at DCMC and what it looks like. These patients are inpatient during their halo traction treatment so it is not something the outpatient nurses have detailed familiarity with. Tammy took it upon herself to try to ease Mom's anxieties and educate her on the entire process (including inpatient, surgical, and outpatient follow-up). Tammy reached out to the inpatient spine navigator for resources, handouts, and pictures to provide to the mother. The care is in the details with Tammy and I am privileged to work with her.