I have been honored to care for others as an emergency medicine physician assistant (PA) with Centra for over 4 years now. Like many of our emergency services PAs, NPs, and physicians, I work in multiple sites–Bedford Memorial Hospital (BMH), Gretna Medical Center, Southside Community Hospital (SSCH), and Lynchburg General Hospital (LGH). As you may imagine, this is a fast-paced environment with a steady increase in patients seeking care across all our EDs. Although I can never predict what type of day we will face as a healthcare team, I can always choose to treat patients with equal respect and compassion. This is what I strive to do, no matter the presenting complaint or illness, to carry out Centra’s mission of, “improving the health and quality of life for the communities we serve."
Recently, I was halfway through a 10-hour shift at Bedford Memorial Hospital, when I was surprised by receiving a Tulip Award. I was overwhelmed with emotion as my ER family surrounded me as we listened to the nomination being read aloud. The nomination was regarding the care I gave to a young autistic adult, who was fearful of needles, and needed a laceration repair. I remember this encounter well; sitting down with the patient, answering his many questions, describing the repair process extensively and talking about non-laceration related things to distract him throughout the time I spent suturing. By the end of the visit, we shared some laughs, and I learned the patient’s favorite hobbies and that he is a hard-working individual who does not let his autism define him. He wanted to go back to work immediately and asked how to best protect his wound to do so!
Part of the written nomination states, “His parents were so appreciative of the extra care that Tessa took and the way she treated him like a human being. They said that had not been their experience in the past.” To be honest, this brings tears of joy and sadness to my eyes. Joy, of course, for the positive recognition that I feel is rarely received in emergency medicine (especially when wait times can last hours). Sadness because this patient deserves the same care as anyone else who walks through our doors. As I reflect further, this award is a reminder of the impact I have on others as an emergency medicine PA, even when it was a task that seemed so simple at the time.
Oftentimes, patients come to the emergency department on one of the scariest or most difficult days of their lives. Whether someone checks in with a laceration, chest pains, stroke-like symptoms, COVID-19 related illness or the many other illnesses we treat, I strive to carry out Centra’s mission. As a PA, it is my responsibility to treat others how I’d want to be treated. I wear my Tulip Award pin proudly on my Centra badge as a reminder of the importance of providing equal compassionate care in our community.