She provided a caring presence

I am very often amazed with Judy’s ability to make individual connections and develop therapeutic relationships with a diverse spectrum of patient populations. She has a finely tuned sensitivity to identify and respect a patient’s particular need at a particular point in time even when a patient cannot communicate that need. One example which stands out is a night Judy had a Comfort Care patient assigned to her. This patient was not expected to make it through the night and had no family or other people to be at their bedside. Judy spent any of her available time when not with other patients sitting in the room beside the patient so they would not be alone. She provided a caring presence to the patient so that they did not spend their last hours isolated from human contact with only a TV to keep them company. Judy spent hours in that room charting and chatting. When Judy had to leave the room she would return as soon as possible. Judy’s comforting presence was obvious as the patient could be seen to be more relaxed while she was in the room. The patient did indeed pass away very late in the shift and Judy was by their side. I like to think that a person like Judy was with my Grandfather while we hurried to the hospital. Judy, by her actions, helped her patient to meet life’s final obstacle with respect and dignity.

Judy Martin is a nurse on the Adult Care Unit at Bronson Methodist Hospital. She is the recipient of the 2018 Hazel Latondress Respect Award, and was recognized during the 2019 Nursing Excellence Celebration.