Niagara nurse Judy Dean on honour role for prestigious Nightingale Award

A message from Chief Nursing Executive Sue Matthews

Each and every day, I witness or hear of situations where nurses have truly made a difference in someone’s life. This is one of the many reasons why I believe that nursing is who you are, not what you are.

I am deeply proud of Judy Dean, a Registered Nurse in the Dialysis Unit at the Welland Site, for being nominated for the provincial Toronto Star Nightingale Award for 2009. This recognition from the wife of a patient confirms what I already know — that Judy Dean is a wonderfully professional and caring nurse who puts patients and their families first.

With her consent, I am reproducing the nomination letter written by Welland resident Bonnie Vadacchino in appreciation of her acknowledgement of Judy and in honour and memory of her beloved husband Vince, who passed away in May 2008. This letter reflects the life and death realities facing our patients and their families as well as our dedicated nurses who the patients and families rely on when it matters most.

A widow’s reflection on her husband’s care

Our family life changed dramatically and forever in May 2003 when my husband Vince came to the point of requiring kidney dialysis treatment. And so he began four-hour treatments, three times weekly, with not even holidays off, for the rest of his life. I promised him that he would never be alone, and so I was always at his side.

Judy Dean, RN, was the nurse assigned to give Vince his first treatment. She gave us the tour, and started the procedure, all the while explaining, demonstrating, and counselling. Vince was quiet and courageous, and I cried for most of that treatment. We were terrified. Judy was calm and compassionate. She offered us hope that indeed, we would be able to manage this new lifestyle.

Over the next five years, and although the entire dialysis staff was great, Judy continued to be our favourite nurse. We felt safe with her. She was more than competent, quietly observing changes in Vince’s medical condition, and in both of our emotions, and taking charge professionally to effect positive changes for us. We got to know all about her husband and children; their hockey, skating and baseball games; their schoolwork, report cards, and teachers; their camping trips and Disney holidays; their faith commitment.

And Judy came to know our family … our children, ten little grandchildren, and all of our family celebrations and adventures. She really cared about us, as a family, not just as a patient. She treated us always with dignity. Judy supported Vince and me through open-heart surgery, the loss of one eye and both of Vince’s legs, and more heart attacks. She rejoiced with us at the births of three more treasured grandchildren. Judy was with us in both the worst, and the best of times. During the fourth year of dialysis we gave Judy a gift … a small Guardian Angel pin, for she was truly our “ministering angel,” as Florence Nightingale was to her patients.

Fittingly, Judy was also Vince’s nurse for his last full dialysis treatment; Vince died two days later, on May 2, 2008. She was with us from the beginning to the end, over hundreds of treatments. We treasure her compassion and commitment both to our family, and to her profession.

Judy Dean is a wonderful tribute to her vocation, and in all ways deserving of the honour of “The Toronto Star Nightingale Award.”

And by the way, almost one year after the death of her patient, Judy still manages to keep in touch with me (just the wife of her patient) on a regular basis. Judy continues to show that compassion we saw on the very first day we met her. With grateful thanks to you, Judy! «