Name: Deb Link, RN

Department: NTICU

Recipient: June of 2007

Nominated by: Employee - Beth Merlo

This is the award-winning letter sent to Deb Link, RN:
We had a patient in our NTICU going through an end of life journey. His wife was in an extended care facility, and two adult sons in England. One son arrived to the medical center and spend the last week or so with his father.

The day we did a terminal wean from life support, the son brought his mother from the ECF so see her spouse for the last time. After sharing those precious moments, he took her back to the facility and allowed the staff to remove life support.

Deb Link was so engaged in this patient's care throughout his journey in our NTICU, that she felt he just couldn't die alone. She paged Jane Neussendorfer, updated Jane of the circumstances and asked her to come to the bedside.

Holding his hands, both Deb and Jane remained at his bedside after the life support was removed and his last breath was taken. Deb was unable to hold back the tears... sharing her heartfelt grief as this patient was entering the valley of death.

What a privilege to be with this patient during this sacred moment. Despite this patient being essentially unresponsive for days prior to this point, Jane led in prayer with Deb present. Following that prayer, Jane whispered to him that his son assured her he would take care of his wife. Just as Jane spoke those words, she noticed two tears fall from his eye down his cheek and he took his last breath.

Deb and Jane are expectionally caring people, serving the patient's in the NTICU. They chose not to allow this patient to pass alone, but instead be held in the hands of two caring individuals.