Peak Living - Winter 2012 - (Page 5)

MEMORIAL Nurses honored for their commitment to helping patients during their darkest moments Heroes E lizabeth Rupprecht is a forensic nurse examiner who cares for children and adults after they have been sexually or physically assaulted. Carolyn Carroll is a nurse in the intensive care unit who cares for people when they are critically ill and fighting for their lives. Earlier this year, both women received the Ted T. Lewis MD Award from the El Paso County Medical Society for excellence and professionalism in nursing. On any given day or night, these Memorial staffers are providing care for people who are enduring their darkest hours. Care in a Crisis Carroll, who has been a nurse for five years, changed her career from communications and marketing to nursing after her mother was diagnosed with cancer and treated at Memorial. “I was moved by the people who took care of my mother. To this day, I just think the world of these people,” Carroll said. Carroll said she loves working in the ICU not only because of the pure challenge of it but also because of the patients’ families. “When your loved one is in the ICU, it’s a crisis like no one understands. … It is an honor to help people comprehend what is happening, and in the ICU, it can require minute-by-minute explaining,” Carroll said. “And for those patients who don’t make it, to be with them during their final moments, as sad as it is, I consider that very much a sacred duty.” Carroll said the award means a lot to her. “I am very flattered with this award. There are so many nurses who do wonderful, magnificent things. I am one of many, and our hospital is blessed with very talented people,” Carroll said. Elizabeth Rupprecht There in Their Time of Need Rupprecht, who gathers forensic evidence from victims of violence, was nominated for the honor after she spent all night with a child victim of sexual assault. The child’s injuries were so severe that surgery was needed. “It’s not easy,” Rupprecht, a registered nurse, said. “It is emotional. I’ve had cases that keep me up at night.” Still, Rupprecht, a nurse for nearly 14 years, said she loves her job. “We have a great team. There are eight of us who do this kind of work. We talk to each other, we bounce things off of each other. This award really should be given to our entire team,” she said. WINTer 2012 | 5 Carolyn Carroll

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Peak Living - Winter 2012

Peak Living - Winter 2012
Contents
HealthBeat
Q & A
Savoring Sucess
Trauma Training
One Devoted Donor
Focus on Food
Community Calendar

Peak Living - Winter 2012