It was a typical weekday morning at Mount Sinai Hospital – the halls were bustling with people coming to work, patients arriving for appointments, and families and friends visiting loved ones. Emily Lovrics, a Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Palliative Care consult team, was making her way down an elevator.
The doorway of the elevator was about halfway open when it froze, leaving passengers at a standstill. Even with attempts to open the door, it wouldn’t budge. One by one passengers began to leave, squeezing through the partially opened doorway to find other ways to get to their destinations. For one patient though, the opening was simply too narrow for their wheelchair to pass through.
Recognizing their dilemma, Emily stayed with the patient to wait for help to arrive. After a while, the patient began to worry about being late for a scheduled pickup from the hospital’s entrance. That’s when Emily sprang into action and took matters into her own hands.
Thinking quickly, Emily went into the hallway and enlisted the help of colleague Christina Fabbruzzo-Cota, then returned to wait with the patient. A few moments later, Christina arrived with the spare wheelchair she was asked to find, setting Emily’s plan in motion.
Gently, Emily helped the patient stand and provided support as they walked through the gap, one careful step at a time. She then transferred the patient to the wheelchair on the other side. The patient was relieved to be outside the elevator and was able to make it to the lobby in time for their pick up.
But Emily’s efforts didn’t stop there. Just as she was leaving the elevator, she encountered another patient who was lost and needed directions for an appointment the 4th floor. She could have simply pointed them in the right direction but, instead, Emily escorted the patient directly to the clinic to ensure their safe arrival.
For those who know Emily, her actions are simply her way of being and come as no surprise. As Kara Ronald, Vice President, Professional Practice, Nursing and Health Disciplines shares, “Emily never ceases to amaze me with her acts of kindness and the care and compassion she brings to all she does. Her ability to serve with heart and show concern for others in every interaction makes her a true ambassador for our Values of Service and Humanity. Kudos Emily!”
