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Angel Sanchez, unit associate in the MICU, was glowing at last week’s Starfish Ceremony and not just because he was receiving a Starfish Award for making patients a priority. His wife was upstairs in the Connors Center for Women and Newborn Health with their newborn daughter, Angelina.
Sanchez made it to the Pod B Cafeteria from his wife’s side just in time for the ceremony, which honored 12 winners selected for their commitment to providing compassionate care and consistently making patients a priority.
Sanchez was recognized for the kindness he showed a patient who had spilled blood on the floor, bed, walls and attending nurse, Julie A Coutu, RN. “Angel came right into the room with his usual big smile, conveying warmth and comfort, introduced himself and attended to the task at hand,” said Coutu, who nominated Sanchez for a Starfish Award.
To ease the patient’s anxiety, Sanchez talked about the Red Sox, the weather and other topics to distract the patient from what had happened. Three months later, the patient and family returned to thank Sanchez for his compassion. He left last week’s ceremony with extra balloons and cake to celebrate with his wife and baby girl.
Starfish nominations have increased this past year making the selection process more difficult, Kim Ternavan, RN, MS/MBA, chair of the Starfish Committee, said. “All our honorees truly go above and beyond in patient care services,” she said.
Sanchez was among 12 Starfish Awards winners recognized at last week’s ceremony. Hayley Tuon, RN, 3BC/MICU; Donald Jonah, patient care assistant, Tower 12CD; Peggy Doyle, RN, director of Operating Room Services; Theresa Bradt, RN, Tower 10AB; Andrea Fonseca, RN, Tower 10AB; Katie Fitzgerald, RN, Tower 14AB; Donna Joseph, RN, Hematology/Oncology/BMT; Mayra Rosario, unit associate, 9CD/Neurosciences ICU; Isabelle Shaw, RN, Tower 11C; Sandra Farrell, unit coordinator, Tower 5B; and Layla Guled, Interpreter Services, also were honored for their careful attention to patients.
To read their stories and nominate a colleague for a Starfish Award, visit www.bwhpikenotes.org/starfish.asp