It is difficult to pinpoint one exact story that exemplifies Ashley’s care and dedication to overall patient care. She is kind beyond words to every patient, family member, and staff member. Many patients we see have either delirium or dementia, and Ashley always does her best to find activities, music, or even a warm blanket to soothe and comfort them and decrease their anxiety.
Ashley consistently goes above and beyond to connect with and support ICU patients and their family members. During a recent busy stretch in the unit, she offered to stay late multiple days to support nursing staff. She makes such a difference for patients and also for her co-workers.
Ashley is our bundle of energy and a breath of fresh air. She is annoyingly happy and positive all the time! But, seriously, she is such a hard worker, she never complains or says she can’t do it. Tuesdays are the busiest day in the ICU. She will shower almost everyone in the ICU. She will give extra care to the ones who can’t go to the shower; she will shave the men and braid the hair of the ladies. Ashley also takes a huge personal interest in each patient. She will pop in to see if they need anything even before the light goes on. She will sit and talk with patients because they are lonely. She will go visit them on the medical floor every day they are in the hospital. She is always caring. She stays late when we are busy. She goes to the ED when they need a sitter. She will go help out in the ACU when the ICU is slow and they are busy because they need help. Ashley is one in a million. I wish I could work with her every day or at least clone her! Ash is a great team member and part of our family that we can’t live without. Nobody deserves this award more than her.
Submitted by: Jessica Richardson, Trish Otremba, and Judy Pollock
