Elizabeth Patrico, RN, H6 – Hospital Medicine
Please join the Center for Nursing Excellence in congratulating Elizabeth Patrico, RN, for being selected as the DAISY Award recipient for the month of September!
Elizabeth Patrico, RN, H6 – Hospital Medicine and was nominated by a Family Member of a Patient. The nomination below reflects how Elizabeth impacted their lives in a very special way.
Nomination:
No one prepares you to lose a loved one. There is no manual that gives you step-by-step preparation sentences to get you ready for the unexpected hurt and lasting grief. As a UAMS nurse myself, I knew from the standpoint of a clinician what it looks like, but when the roles are reversed and you are on the receiving end those answers I thought I knew were just not there. The roles changed, and I went from being the nurse to being the niece of the most incredible uncle I’ve ever known. My mission at that point was to ensure he received the best care he could have in his last days and that his wife and our family knew what to expect. In walks Elizabeth Patrico. I would love to nominate her for the DAISY award. Her infectious smile, her determination to put a smile on our faces with her little cute sayings during a time of sadness, her stance, her attention to detail, and her willingness to go over and beyond to help all of us was noted the time she walked in the door. Her focus on my uncle and his being uncomfortable during his transition, which she remedied by respectfully asking, since he was on comfort care, if we would like to consider medication to assist with getting him comfortable, was appreciated. To her gently wiping around his face to clean him up. To propping pillows under his feet. To cleaning his dry mouth. She even noted a container with not presentable fluids in it, and she covered it with a towel so that when visitors came in to say their goodbyes, they didn’t see it and question it. She ensured his hospital room was as close to feeling like a home for all of us as possible. Home is wherever we are together. My uncle is one of 16 siblings, and our family is huge. He was a very popular man in our community. Many came to visit, and at one point we started to pray together. Elizabeth waited idly by, and once we were done, I looked up, and she had something as simple as iced water for ALL OF US! I saw her going in and out of rooms with other patients, but my family mentioned they never would have thought she was busy because she gave us so much of her time so that we could know UAMS nurses cared for him. Elizabeth, you may not remember us, but we will forever remember the time, knowledge, gentleness, and compassion you gave to my Uncle “Win.” You were an amazing nurse who was there every step of the way to his last day here. I was so impressed, and I actually use your attentiveness as an example for new nurses when they arrive here. Your attention to the patient and his beloved family is what elevating excellence looks like. Thank you so much, and may you know that you are appreciated.
Alyssa Robinson,
Family member of the patient
Thank you, Elizabeth!