Compassionate nurse bright light amid a scary diagnosis

“We’re happy to have you,” Elizabeth Ferriman says with excitement as she greets new patients.

“Welcome to our humble home,” she says, her arms wide open, as she meets arriving patients on the neuroscience floor at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central.

For Ferriman, a warm greeting for patients is standard practice. Many of her patients have been transferred to the floor with a diagnosis that brings feelings of anxiety for the unknown.

She tries her best to mitigate the unease by providing a friendly and compassionate environment and letting patients know that some rooms on the floor have a “million-dollar view” of Pikes Peak.

Recently, Ferriman, an acute care nurse, received a call about a new patient who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her first step was making sure the patient felt safe and comfortable.

“Please tell him we are excited to meet him; he has a private room and view of the mountains,” Ferriman said.

During the initial call, Ferriman learned that the patient would make one pit stop during his seven-mile trip from UCHealth Grandview Hospital to Memorial Hospital Central. En route, he planned to stop home to see his beloved dog, Alice.

“Sometimes family members and personal items like blankets or pillows, or even a pet, can really improve someone’s stay,” Ferriman said.

With coordination, and in accordance with the pet visitation policy at Memorial, arrangements were made for Alice to visit the hospital. Two weeks into his hospital say, the floppy-eared dog with white fur and brown patches, walked in the patient’s room.

“I always try to go above and beyond, just because we do have a difficult population. We have people who are confused, people who like to hit, people who woke up and they can’t use half their body, or they’re scared because it’s something with their brain,” Ferriman said.

Recently, colleague Amanda Martinez submitted a Celebrating You recognition for Ferriman. Martinez is an emergency department nurse at Grandview Hospital, and she called Ferriman during the initial report about the patient.

“She reminded me of how little kindness and compassion costs, and how easy it is to spend them,” Martinez wrote in the recognition. “What a bright spot for such a difficult situation. I can learn a thing or two from Liz.”