When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Saint Joseph London wound care coordinator Roxanne Maiden, RN, learned to live every day to its fullest.
Roxanne temporarily moved from wound care to the critical unit to care for patients with COVID-19 and experienced some of the hardest days in her career since starting at Saint Joseph London in 2010 as a nursing student.
“We had some critical patients who were alone, and we had to do Zoom calls and FaceTime with their family members so they could say goodbye to each other because they were passing,” Roxanne said. “It was extremely difficult. But I think showing the family we were there for them was something.
“This career has taught me to never take anything for granted.”
For her commitment to patients during the pandemic, Roxanne was recognized by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell during his recent visit to Saint Joseph London. Along with her recognition for compassionate care, the Saint Joseph London Wound Care Center team was named a Healogics Center of Distinction, a major accomplishment for the new center.
“That was pretty awesome,” Roxanne said. “It was our goal that we worked together towards as a team, and we were really excited to get it the first year we were open. According to Healogics, that doesn’t happen often.”
Roxanne’s passion for wound care started before the center opened when she worked in the critical care unit.
“Any time a patient had a wound, and you know how everyone has their favorite thing, everyone [in my unit] knew to ask me if I wanted to look at or dress the wound,” Roxanne said. “When I found out we were getting a program, I was excited. I didn’t even know it was an outpatient service when I applied.”
Moving from inpatient to outpatient was a change of pace for Roxanne, but she said she loves seeing her patients regularly and getting to know them as people.
“We get close to them, and as they progress, you’re as excited as they are,” Roxanne said about her experience as a wound care coordinator. “We have patients who come visit after recovery to tell us how they’re doing. I took care of this family’s mother who had passed away, but during that time period [of caring for the patient], I became close with her and her family. Every year, they still send me a birthday card.”
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