Every patient who walks into the ED and comes into contact with Tanya gets great care, regardless of their life choices or socioeconomic background. Tanya has a big heart (even though she acts tough) and always connects with her patients. We once had a very sick patient in the department who was a “difficult stick” due to a history of IV drug abuse. Tanya was a phlebotomist at a prison prior to her career as a nurse so she is one of the nurses we can call on to help get IVs. This patient was very emotional and thought herself worthless and not deserving of care. Tanya spent a long time with this patient, sitting at the bedside and talking to them. Tanya provided excellent, compassionate care and emotional support. The patient was sick enough to require admission and rather than signing out AMA, the patient stayed at the hospital and received the care she needed, thanks to Tanya. The patient was in a very dark place that night and I firmly believe that Tanya showed her the light.

Afterward, the patient told me that she’s been in many hospitals and is always treated with a stigma due to her drug use, but that Tanya was the first nurse to treat her like a person. She had a lot of nice things to say about Tanya and our hospital after this experience; I believe this made a difference, not only in the patient’s experience that evening, but also a difference in her life and her faith in healthcare. I believe that wherever this patient is right now she knows that she can come to IRMC for help, thanks to Tanya’s care that day.

I’d like to share another big experience I’ve had with Tanya. Tanya was the primary nurse for a patient who was on a vent. The decision was made to withdraw care. In an attempt to help, I made the call to CORE who wanted to speak to the family. I found myself emotional, having difficulty completing the task of giving the phone over to the family, whose lives were shattered that day. Tanya took the phone from me and was able to see the task through. She stood by the family’s side as they grieved and also as they made the decision to give life to others. Tanya’s heart and compassion shined through again as she stood with them through this process. I’m aware that Tanya has done this several other times since the moment that I got to witness it.

I’ve also seen Tanya at the bedside with other grieving family members after a loved one’s passing and I know that if I lose a loved one today, I’d be glad to have Tanya as the nurse to help care for my family through the immediate grieving process. Tanya treats all of her patients and their families in this kind of way. She gives dignified, competent, ethical, and compassionate care to all of her patients; be it the cute little old lady, a child with cancer, a grieving widow, a homeless man, an intoxicated person, or an IV drug user. Tanya is a great member of our team and we are lucky to have her!