Takes Time To Be With Patients: La Grange Hero

LA GRANGE, IL — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes Shawn Lewis, who nominated his wife, Linda O'Shea-Lewis of Brookfield, an emergency room nurse at La Grange's hospital, Amita Adventist Medical Center La Grange.

Where the person who nominated the hero lives:

Brookfield

Name of the nominee:

Linda O'Shea-Lewis

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?

Yes

What does the nominee do for work?

An emergency room nurse at Amita Adventist Medical Center La Grange.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

Obviously, as her spouse, I am biased. However, this is what her co-workers had to say upon nominating her for a second Daisy Award (Given to Extraordinary Nurses): "Linda is committed to providing excellent care and goes above and beyond to ensure quality and kindness to the patients in our unit. She remains professional, calm and level-headed during emergency situations. She is a team player, always looking for opportunities to help her co-workers out. She takes the time to sit and be with her patients, whether it be to listen or hold their hand. She is a valuable member of our team, and we are blessed to have her." Second nomination from a co-worker: "At change of shift early one Sunday, she received a patient — one of our dear senior residents. The patient was complaining of chest discomfort and palpitations and was awaiting cardiology consultation. Linda went to the bedside, established rapport with the patient and her family, offering comfort and concern. She gently assisted the patient to the bathroom, gave her morning meds. Patient and family were smiling and the patient was pain-free. Linda never has a negative word, only 'how can I and who needs help?'"

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?

She's a better mother than nurse.

>> Do YOU have a hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.