Twice in the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Nurse Comes to a Family’s Aid

Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Stories of Excellence

Jamie Ruhmshottel, BSN, RN-BC

COVID-19 took the life of Ashley Buterman’s father-in-law early in the pandemic.  In March 2020, he was admitted to The Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) with symptoms of the infection. As Ashley explains, it was an emotionally challenging time.  “Families were not allowed to visit, of course, and it was even hard to get updates,” Ashley says. “Once my father-in-law was placed on a ventilator, the brief calls we did have with him were over.”

Through a friend on the nursing staff at MSH, Ashley was connected to Jamie Ruhmshottel, BSN, RN-BC, a nurse manager at MSH, who was deployed to a COVID-19 unit and offered to take audio messages that were recorded by Ashley’s husband and his sisters and play them for their father. “Jamie let us know she did this, and even though my father-in-law could not talk, Jamie told us his eyes and breathing registered that he understood.” Sadly, he passed away ten days after being admitted.

“My family and I were so grateful for Jamie’s help,” Ashley says. “We did not get to meet, but we sent her and her team lunch, and we kept in touch occasionally for a while after that.” Little did she know that Jamie was to come into Ashley’s life again due to COVID-19, this time on a brighter note.

In late October 2021, vaccinations for children between the aged of 5 and 11 were authorized, and Ashley was determined to have her two children, in that age bracket, vaccinated. She tried a few walk-ins without success, and was getting frustrated. So she got in touch with a friend who connected her with a nurse who was volunteering in the pediatric vaccine pods at MSH. As Ashley was texting this nurse, she realized it was Jamie, the same nurse who had been so caring of her father-in-law over a year ago. Jamie was able to make an appointment for her children, and the two women met face-to-face in the pod.

“I was so excited to thank Jamie in person for two good deeds: caring for my father-in-law and then getting my children on their way to being protected from COVID. I am just so thrilled and reassured.”

Jamie, who has been at The Mount Sinai Hospital since 2008 and now works in an outpatient setting at the Mount Sinai National Jewish Health Respiratory Institute, is no stranger to accolades, having won the MSH Overall Department Award for Excellence in Nursing in 2015.

“The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was such a scary time,” she says. “We were just beginning to take care of these very sick patients and learning how to do so safely, while at the same time acting as family for them, many during their last days. I did not have to think too hard about my care. If a family member of mine was in a similar situation, I would hope hospital staff would be compassionate and treat them in the same way.”

Physician Assistant in Obstetrics Is Honored for Communication and Compassion

Oct 28, 2021 | Stories of Excellence

The Cullman Family Award for excellence in Patient Communication honors Mount Sinai Health System physicians and advanced practice providers who demonstrate exceptional communication in clinical practice. Clinicians who are recognized for this achievement rank in the top 1 percent nationally in provider communication as measured by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CG-CAHPS patient experience survey.

One of this year’s 74 honorees at Mount Sinai is Anna Kunkel, PA. Anna began working at The Mount Sinai Hospital in the outpatient Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science; she now works with high-risk moms to be. The following are several patient comments about the care provided by Anna.

Anna is caring, compassionate and knowledgeable.”

“Anna was absolutely amazing, She explained everything to me with care and compassion.”

“Anna spoke to me as a person and not just as another patient.”

“Anna was gentle and made me feel at ease.”

“She is sweet and nonjudgmental.”

Anna puts herself in her patients’ shoes. “The hospital is a scary place for patients. The way we communicate with them to alleviate fear is so important” she says. “My goal is to help patients understand all aspects of their care so they can feel safe and confident.”

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A Staff Volunteer Recognizes Another for Passionate Service to Mount Sinai

Oct 28, 2021 | Stories of Excellence

As a new hire, Chandra Bishun-Freeman, Clinical Oncology Associate at the Derald H. Ruttenberg Treatment Center of The Tisch Cancer Institute, was wondering how she might align her desire to expand personal contact with patients and co-workers while continuing to learn the ropes of her new position. Chandra decided volunteering would be the perfect opportunity for her to utilize some free time, serve the Mount Sinai community, and start making connections between her job and her passion for health care. So this past August, she signed up to volunteer for the Chi Time program at The Mount Sinai Hospital, and learned much from a dedicated volunteer, Paul Carbone.

The purpose of Chi Time is to support Mount Sinai employees and is available at six of Mount Sinai’s hospitals. The program engages staff, utilizing a mobile cart that is brought to their work areas. Contents of the cart include herbal and decaffeinated teas and healthy packaged snacks, aromatherapy with lavender, rose, eucalyptus, and other scents. If the space permits, calming background music and dimmed lighting are also provided.

Paul is an Associate Chaplain at NYU Langone Health, where he ministers to seriously ill patients and their families.  Three years ago he learned about Chi Time at Mount Sinai through the One Spirit Seminary in in midtown Manhattan, where he became an interfaith/interspiritual minister. Paul became a volunteer at Mount Sinai because he was intrigued and excited about the opportunity to serve health care workers in this unique way.

On her first day, Chandra was assigned to shadow Paul. “Paul enthusiastically told me about the program and what his role entails as a volunteer,” she says. “I remember, later in the day telling my husband that Paul acted and moved with the passion and energy of someone brand new to the job. He was so gracious as he played his part, serving others with refreshing tea and a snack bar. Within minutes, staff members were pouring into the lounge looking forward for this moment in a happy, relaxed, joyful, and thankful mood. I saw moments of warmth, comradery, and care.”

Paul exemplifies the compassion and commitment volunteers bring to their missions, sometimes providing emotional and spiritual support to Mount Sinai staff, especially if there has been the loss of a patient or a staff member.

”Service work can drain energy,” he explains. “Giving these workers back energy, in the form of a snack or aromatherapy, an encouraging word, or creating a calm space, can help restore their energy. Helping them regain a bit of balance energizes me.”

Maggie Keogh, Director of the Chi Time program, thinks of Paul as a consistent, reassuring presence and a rich resource. “Simply put,” she says, “He’s amazing.” Chandra concurs, “I could not think of a better role model than Paul for embodying the essence of giving back. I can’t wait to work with him again.”

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She Brings “Positive Energy” and Fun to Young Patients

Oct 8, 2021 | Stories of Excellence

In the hospital, weekends are typically a time when things are slower and calmer, but thanks to weekend Child Life assistant Abbey Meeks, this isn’t true in the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital Zone play space.

On Saturdays and Sundays, Abbey creates a fun and friendly environment for patients to spend time playing games, making crafts, or rocking out on air guitar, giving them the chance to keep being kids, even in the hospital environment. For her young patients who are unable to leave their rooms to experience the Zone in person, Abbey brings some of the fun right to their bedside, instead.

Lindsay Davis, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist III, is thankful to have Abbey on the team. “Our department is grateful to Abbey for her positive energy that always helps bring a smile to the faces of our patients and helps make their hospital experience a little brighter.”

Abbey understands the value of the Zone for these children.

“In the Zone,” she explains, “we get to help children open up in a new, potentially scary environment, express themselves creatively, make a friend, or practice a new skill. I feel so privileged to be a part of our patients’ stories and experiences. I love building relationships with our patients and making sure they have the support and resources to process their experience in a way that works for them.”

Neurosurgery PA Gets Praise for Patient Care and Teamwork and Gives it Right Back

Oct 8, 2021 | Stories of Excellence

Kayla Epstein, PA-C,

Kayla Epstein, PA-C, joined the Mount Sinai Neurosurgery Cerebrovascular team in 2018. She was hired as a new graduate to partner with J Mocco, MD, Director of the Cerebrovascular Center for the Mount Sinai Health System, Vice Chair of Neurosurgery, and Professor of Neurosurgery.

Kayla quickly learned the clinical, procedural, and surgical skills necessary to run his practice; the busiest one in the department. She manages the outpatient, inpatient, and Interventional Radiology settings and coordinates the OR practice safely and successfully for patients and surgeons.

Kayla is considered a leader by her colleagues. Leslie Schlachter, PA-C, Clinical Director and Chief Advanced Practice Provider for the Department of Neurosurgery, explains, “The advanced practice providers are happier and more proficient with Kayla on their team. Our surgeons say Kayla helps them to be more productive and experience less burnout. And patients report they feel safer and confident with Kayla as a provider. She is a star!”

Kayla shouts back this praise to her team. “I am so grateful to have a job where I get to help patients every day. Educating patients about their diagnosis and guiding them through their surgical care is extremely rewarding and special. My team is awesome, and it is a pleasure to work and learn with them. It’s an incredibly supportive, positive, and friendly environment and makes me love being a neurosurgical PA even more.”