Emergency Department Nurse Honored by Patients’ Family
Debbie Davis will be the first to tell you she shouldn’t be alive today. She doesn’t remember March 10, 2014. Debbie was close to death. Her organs were shutting down. A team of physicians gathered by her bedside to determine a diagnosis and treatment. Debbie’s husband, Kelly, remembers a young E.R. nurse providing the type of patient- and family-focused care that made a difference during a very tough time.
“I’ve been to other, bigger hospitals. It was different at Saint Luke’s South, said Kelly Davis, Debbie’s husband. “Amy was compassionate. She took her time. We didn’t feel like a number. She helped turn a bad situation into a better situation right away.”
Rookie nurse
Amy Holy, a 12-year employee of Saint Luke’s South Hospital, had worked nights and weekends as an admitting clerk. She had only recently become a nurse, drawn to patient care after her Emergency Department colleagues encouraged her to go back to school.
“I was fascinated by what they do,” said Amy. “And it seemed like a great opportunity. With a nursing degree, there are so many things you can do.”
Amy started taking prerequisites for nursing school. She became an E.R. tech while she worked on her degree. And in December 2012, she became–officially–Amy Holy, R.N.
The first of three encounters
Debbie spent 28 days in Saint Luke’s South Hospital. She made a full recovery and even went hiking with family last summer. Her journey back to good health culminated in a trip back to the hospital in January 2015. This time, there was no emergency.
Debbie’s husband Kelly nominated Amy for his company’s Humanitarian of the Year award, for providing care and encouragement to his loved ones – not once, but three times. Within the course of only a few months, Amy Holy had somehow cared for three members of the same family. And each time, he was thoroughly impressed by the care she delivered.
“The consistent comfort and professionalism you provided us in multiple stressful times convinces me that you provide this level of care to every patient,” said Kelly, during a presentation in front of Saint Luke’s South staff, leadership, and Amy’s family.
The Davises presented a special award to Amy and a $500 gift to the Saint Luke’s Foundation in her name. The gift is earmarked to support continuing education for nurses and staff. As the Davis family sees it, an admitting clerk called to nursing made all the difference in their lives.
“I’m in complete shock,” Amy said. “I’m a new nurse. It’s nice to be recognized that I’m making a difference. It’s a great feeling.”
“If we had gone anywhere else, I’m convinced Debbie wouldn’t have made it,” Kelly said. “There’s a standing order in our family – if anyone goes down, no matter where they are, they need to get to Saint Luke’s.”