The first component of the Department of Anesthesia’s tripartite mission is to provide exceptional patient care, and each of us strives to fulfill that mission every day. But we also strive to exceed expectations, and when we do, we celebrate those extra efforts with Making a Difference Awards. For the 2019-2020 academic year, our faculty, trainees, CRNAs, and staff again raised the bar for exceptional patient care. Read on to find out how:

 Deepak Agarwal, MBBS, then-CA-2

Dr. Agarwal was nominated for his quick and compassionate response to both a patient and the nurse involved. “The patient had an epidural infusion and he was becoming concerned because of his lack of motor function and absent feeling to his upper left extremity,” the nominator wrote. “Dr. Agarwal immediately responded to all of my pages and modified the patient’s medication and care plan accordingly to ensure the patient was taken care of swiftly and appropriately. He was caring, kind, and patient, and I know we (the patient and myself) both appreciated him during this experience.”

 Bradford Eveland, Support Services Coordinator      Zach Hanson, Clinical Technician, Anesthesia Workroom

Bradford and Zach earned praise from a provider for displaying University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics’ core values of collaboration and excellence when it came to caring for a critically ill patient. Both continued to assist anesthesia providers for several hours, even after their shifts had ended. The provider wrote: "Please accept my deep gratitude to each of your staff for invaluable life‐saving assistance in the care of a patient. It made all the difference, really."

Jay Freund, Staff Nurse
Jay’s nominator credits him with improving morale wherever he is. “Jay makes a noticeable difference in everyone’s day, be it staff, patient, or family,” his nominator wrote. “He lights up a room with his positive attitude and his encouragement of others. He embodies team spirit and is an asset to the hospital!”

 Jeanette Harrington, MD

Sometimes, patient care extends beyond the walls of the hospital. Dr. Harrington was nominated for assisting a homeless couple who had been admitted for carbon monoxide poisoning, caused by using a grill inside a tent in an attempt to stay warm. When they were ready to be discharged, Dr. Harrington learned they intended to return to the tent. She donated enough hotel rewards points to provide the couple with a one-week stay at an area hotel. “It just happened to be Giving Tuesday, so we thought Dr. Harrington should be recognized for her generosity,” her nominators wrote.

 Stephen Hays, MD, FAAP

Dr. Hays helped ease a family’s fears about their child’s procedure. “He went out of his way to come to the 11th floor of Stead Family Children’s Hospital,” his nominator wrote. “He discussed the procedure extensively and made the team and family feel at ease.”

Valerie Hinschberger, PA

Valerie was nominated for going above and beyond to help another service. “We had a patient on our floor requiring placement of a central line,” her nominator wrote. “After talking to many consulting services with no luck, Valerie happily agreed to come to our floor to place the line. This was WAY about the normal expectations of her position! She went above and beyond and was very kind and helpful. We are beyond grateful for Valerie’s help!”

 Uniyime Ituk, MBBS, FSARCSI

Dr. Ituk helped a patient who was having extreme pain during a C-section. She had an intense reaction to the pain medications, “including reporting felling like she was dying. Dr. Ituk calmly responded and talked her through the experience,” his nominator wrote. “She then asked Dr. Ituk if she could hold his hand to help ‘center’ her emotions. He agreed and sat next to her while holding both her hands through the entire rest of the surgery. Dr. Ituk is always a fantastic OB anesthesiology; however, this is an example of going above and beyond to care for his patient’s needs. His kind heart really shone that day.”

 Kellen Kraber, CRNA

Kellen was nominated for stepping up during a critical situation in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). “Kellen was walking through PACU, finishing up for the day, when he responded to the emergency and assisted in stabilizing the patient. Kellen immediately began focusing on what needed to be done for the patient and assisting the PACU nurses until more help arrived,” his nominator wrote. “He stayed with the patient during the entire event and assisted in maintaining the patient’s airway and giving insight on how to stabilize the patient. After the patient was stabilized and transferred, Kellen returned to the PACU to ensure medications were documented appropriately and to see if more assistance was needed. He demonstrated exemplary critical thinking and leadership while keeping a calm demeanor.”

Post Anesthesia Care Unit

The entire Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) was nominated for “always being so willing to help each other.” The nominator wrote: “PACU has always had amazing teamwork skills. I love coming to work each day knowing I can face whatever the workday throws at me because I’m not along and I have the best work family I could ask for.” Specifically, the nominator cited a day when the PACU was quite busy, including a patient with “very demanding cares.” “Management came to help with bedside cares so staff nurses could provide the best care for our critical patients. The next shift nurses were willing to come on the floor 20 minutes early to help the unit, and Natalie Brodersen, CRNA, was readily available and willing to help with a patient who wasn’t hers until another provider arrived.”

 Michelle Riesselman, MD, then-CA-3

Dr. Riesselman was nominated for her excellent bedside manner and strong patient advocacy. “I recently had a patient with cardiac arrhythmia in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit,” her nominator wrote. “She responded quickly to address my concerns and worked with me to treat the patient. She collaborated with the primary surgical team to come up with a plan to address the arrhythmia in a safe and timely manner. She remained near and often checked on the patient’s status. Her dedication to patient care and professionalism does not go unnoticed.”

 Robert Sand, DO

A patient praised Dr. Sand’s calm demeanor when she had to have a urological procedure while pregnant. “Dr. Sand calmly provided education regarding the risks of the surgery and reassured me that with the type of anesthesia he recommended, risks were low to me and my baby,” the patient wrote. “Throughout the procedure, he was very attentive and reassured me that everything was stable. At one point, I made a face indicating a change in sensation; he was quick to ask me what was wrong and ensure I was OK. He made me feel comfortable in a situation I would normally be very anxious in. I was impressed with his care, and thankful for it.”

 David Swanson, MD

A patient expressed appreciation for Dr. Swanson’s care during and after a total hip replacement. “I had an unusual emotional response in the recovery room, one that I have never had and did not understand, which included tearfulness and needing to see a familiar face,” the patient wrote. “I asked for Dr. Swanson and he came to my bedside; I remember little of that situation other than the distress I was feeling; Dr. Swanson left and came back when he identified a pain medication that was used during surgery, which, apparently can have this effect on someone. Dr. Swanson did not have to do this and yet he did, which was calming and soothing.”