Here’s what caregivers told us about our winners:
Dr. Abby Halm
We worked together on a patient that was very challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally. I feel like she and I made a really good game plan during rounds, and then she stuck to that plan day after day. Sometimes the doctors will say they are sticking to a plan but don’t; but Abby did, and it was really cool to work with her!
Dr. Erin Gosekamp
Erin is one of my favorite fellows to work with. When I see her on my shift, I know the night will be a good one. She is always willing to listen to my concerns and lets me ask questions about the care of my patient; or even just a learning question for myself. She’s never one to shame for asking questions and answers them. She always answers my vocera calls and is quick to come to bedside when needed. She cares so deeply about every patient and handles any situation thrown at her with grace. I cannot say enough about how much I love working with her! I hope to see her as an attending in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit!
Dr. Andrew Chevalier
Chevy is a constant breath of fresh air in both units. He brings lightheartedness that is hard to find at times within the train of sadness that our units can become. Chevy is great at ensuring he uses people's names when talking with them; that includes nurses, parents, other physicians, and whoever might come through the unit.
Chevy truly cares about the patients and has great discernment when it comes to patient needs. He has a great rapport with the staff and is always willing to listen. He is quick to close loops of communication, and it is appreciated that he always uses people's names when addressing them. This creates a thriving unit when he is on shift. He is truly a light for the unit.
Dr. Scott Short
I have worked with Dr. Short for a long time, since he was a fellow, so I have seen him interact with patients and families at the bedside quite often. He is always very thoughtful in his interactions. He addresses every question a family may have no matter how often they ask. I have also seen him come back to the bedside to address patient and family issues, which is very difficult with the busy Operating Room schedule they keep. Dr. Short is compassionate in the care he gives, especially when families are facing unexpected, difficult diagnoses. I appreciate the thoughtful way he approaches families, and I know they do too.
Dr. Vandana Raman
Dr. Raman is always reaching out to the community and trying to find ways to improve diabetes management in schools and homes where families struggle. She created the DIME (Diabetes Intensive Management and Education) program to lend more support to families with difficult socioeconomic concerns. Often these families are struggling to put food on the table. They have a difficult time problem solving and frequently are admitted with DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis). The DIME clinic meets with these families every other month where they see Dr. Raman, a diabetes educator, and a social worker, and have a one-hour therapy session with a psychologist. Weekly phone calls and texts are initiated and over time, these families come to trust Dr. Raman and her team.
This program changes lives! Families tell us that not only is their diabetes control improving, but family stress decreases significantly, and their overall outlook on life is improved forever. These families are so grateful for the support, lack of judgment, and understanding that Dr. Raman provides them.
Dr. Amanda Johnson
I met Dr. Amanda Johnson when I was charging on a night shift. It was one of her first weeks here at Primary Children’s Hospital and one of our beloved teenage bone marrow transplant patients was dying. The nurses and patient care technicians had watched this sweet boy endure excruciating side effects from his cancer and treatment for months. He had been told he would not survive many more days and chose to stay in the hospital to pass away surrounded by his family and the ‘caregivers who loved him.’ We were heartbroken. Amanda not only treated the patient and his family with the utmost respect and compassion, but she also checked in with the nurses, empathetically listening and comforting us as we grieved. She sat on the pod with us late into the night, ensuring we had everything we needed to care for this sweet boy. Being a new bone marrow transplant attending, she never hesitated to consult with other providers when questions arose of how to keep the patient comfortable.
I was impressed with Amanda from this initial meeting and continue to be amazed by the outstanding care she provides patients and families; and by her respect, not only for the nurses, but the entire interdisciplinary team.