Happy Valentine’s Day, MSBI! For information on our Go Red events last week, visit here.
Union Square and Chelsea have been doing a great job of recognizing MSBI and Downtown employees who exemplify excellence, safety, teamwork, and compassion. I want to share two of these stories with you.
“One Small Step”
An elderly patient who rarely communicates was getting ready to leave the Martha Stewart Center for Living, our geriatric practice at Union Square. When it was time to escort her out in a wheelchair, she became hesitant and resisted any help. She wouldn’t lift her legs to be safely transported. Her aide tried to help, but the patient refused. As Phil Morales was heading out for lunch, he saw what was going on and came to assist. He approached the patient and calmly explained to her how he wanted to help her.
After talking with the patient a little more, Phil realized the patient walked in with a walker, and she wanted to leave the same way. Realizing why she was resisting the wheelchair, Phil helped the patient walk out of the office and escorted her to the lobby with her walker.
Sometimes what our patients need is not always obvious, and I’m so thankful that Phil took the time to fully understand the preferences of this particular patient.
“One of Kind”
Erica Panizo, RN, is a nurse at The Blavatnik Family-Chelsea Medical Center of Mount Sinai, and a recent patient wrote this poem to show her appreciation:
There is a special nurse on your staff,
Someone who is unique among your TEAM
Her caring has changed my life for the better
She is truly a patient’s DREAM
A nurse that is so focused she really knows A LOT
Before we even ask our questions
The answers she already GOT
And who is this professional who we were so lucky to FIND
Her name is ERIKA
The best in AMERICA
A nurse who is one of a KIND!
Phil, Erica, thank you for being role models for me and for so many of us. We are so much better as a family of caregivers because of your compassion and excellence.