Nachelle Smith: Treating the patient like family

posted August 26th, 2009

I am so honored to work with caring individuals like Nachelle.

Nachelle Smith received a Random Act of Kindness Award, nominated by Dean J. Johnson.

"Nachelle was so helpful with an elderly patient in 1J. It was almost one and a half ours past the time she was scheduled to get off work. The patient was left by the county transportation van. She did not have a ride back home. The patient was determined to remain at Duke overnight until the van could return the next day.

Nachelle assisted the patient with making calls, arranged for a social worker to see her and helped explain our options to help. Nachelle showed warmth, compassion and determination to help. I tried to encourage her to leave for the day. However, she felt it was part of her responsibility to assist with the patient. Some employees may have been rushing to leave, since it was 5 p.m.; not Nachelle. She was there until a plan was in place.

Nachelle treated the patient as if she were family. She was very patient and eager to help her get home.

I am so honored to work with caring individuals like Nachelle. It really lets your know…we have the right people in place to make a difference at Duke."