Cardiac patients love technician’s hearts, compassion

A smiley face, an octopus juggling hearts or a tree with hearts for fruit: Each of these small sketches adds warmth to tent cards informing patients their rooms were cleaned on the cardiac unit at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies.

They’re a signature gesture from Nelly Eckhardt, an environmental services technician appreciated by patients and colleagues for her kind attentiveness.

“Nelly just comes in with a smile all the time,” said Jumer Sapinoro, a nurse manager, adding that patients appreciate her personable, positive manner. “They know they’re going to get that from Nelly every single morning they’re here.”

Patients nominated her “a bunch of times” for the DAISY Award, a special recognition to honor nurses, he said. The nominations say she came in twice per day with a “calm, comforting presence,” is “kind and efficient” and “made us feel safe during the time of COVID-19.” She’s also been called “extremely attentive,” caring, calming and “she’s a jewel,” according to the nomination forms.

But Eckhardt isn’t a nurse. Since she can’t receive a DAISY Award, Sapinoro instead gives her “Helping Hands” award pins – which are usually for certified nursing assistants.

“I look at her as a very valued member of MCR in general,” Sapinoro said. “I feel like she’s part of our team.”

Eckhardt said it makes her happy when the patients are happy.

“This is such a blessing to be here helping others,” she said.

She always wanted to be a nurse. But Eckhardt said her father encouraged her to instead pursue business, and she obtained a business degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City, working in areas such as public transportation and accounting. She got married and moved to Houston, raising three kids as a homemaker for 21 years before moving to Colorado after her husband retired.

She started with UCHealth in November 2017, and a short time later, she began adding artwork to the tent cards for patients.

“Sometimes they laugh,” she said. “Sometimes they write, ‘I’m so glad you helped me,’ things like that. That makes me happy.”

Eckhardt in September was announced as a semi-annual MCR Wall of Fame recipient, having been nominated by the cardiac nursing staff.

“Patients often comment on not only how friendly she is, but how well she cleans the room. They have said, ‘She doesn’t waste any motion,’” according to the nomination. “When Nelly is working, I am reassured that everything is going to be clean because she has a commitment to detailing; it’s not just performing a cursory cleaning, but a deep clean that’s mindful of getting the nooks and crannies.”

“I love what I do,” Eckhardt said. “I’m very blessed to be here in this hospital.”