Virginia Pasumbal
Virginia Pasumbal, a nursing assistant at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, is a 15-year veteran of the Mount Sinai Health System who, according to Min Jeon, Nursing Manager of the Ambulatory Eye Clinic, is a “magnificent” employee, “caring and compassionate,” who always has ideas for improving the patient experience.
For example, waits can be extended in the clinic, as many patients get eye drops that must take effect before examinations, and afterward, patients wait until their vision is back to normal before leaving.
Virginia can sense when patients are hungry, and in the past would run to the cafeteria to get them something to eat. (Now, snacks are readily available in the waiting area.)
She is also attuned to patients who may benefit from consultation with the social services team or a chaplain.
Virginia says she wants every patient to feel important and special. Her approach is simple: “Patients’ needs vary, and I want to be sensitive to each one,” she says. “I want to be a calming presence for our patients and just make sure they feel cared for and safe.”