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A Real Life Guardian Angel
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December 19, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY - Many people believe they have a guardian angel watching over them. A higher power protecting them from harm or illness. But in November 2007, 74-year-old Richard “Don” Batt actually got to meet his guardian angel face-to-face.
Batt had been suffering from pneumonia and was seeking treatment in Ardmore, Okla., just a few miles from his hometown of Tishomingo. An X-ray revealed a large thoracic aneurism hiding in his chest. Batt chose to go to INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center to receive further care. Dr. John Chaffin performed corrective surgery and Batt was admitted into the cardiac intensive care unit to recover. It was there, he met Registered Nurse Senen Dadulo.
Batt’s wife Sue noticed an instant connection between the two. “Don seemed to perk up whenever Senen would come to check on him,” she says. “And the friendship seemed to go both ways. Senen appeared to truly enjoy my husband’s company. He took the time to really talk to him and get to know him.”
She says Senen went above and beyond the call of duty, constantly propping-up her husband’s pillow to make him more comfortable and even wheeling him out into the hall so that he could enjoy the sunlight coming in from the window. “Senen took excellent care of my husband. All of the nurses there at Baptist were great. I don’t want to down play anyone’s role in Don’s recovery, but some people just have that extra special touch – and Senen definitely has it.”
While at the hospital, Sue and her daughter Dana Krebs saw a man putting up a poster in the waiting room. They had seen a similar flyer in the elevator describing a new program at INTEGRIS. It’s called the “Guardian Angel” program and it allows patients, their families, or their friends the opportunity to recognize those caregivers who they believe give exemplary care. A donation in any amount is made to the INTEGRIS Foundations in honor of the employee of their choice.
Sue and her daughter decided to make a donation in Senen Dadulo’s name. “When you appreciate someone it’s important to do something special,” says Sue. “I just want him to know how thankful we are that he was there. We believe he is one of the main reasons Don was well enough to leave the hospital and come home within a week.” Batt was discharged the day before Thanksgiving, something his family feels was another blessing from above.
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For more information on the “Guardian Angel” program, visit http://www.integrisfoundations.com/ or contact Tami Loch, director of Development, INTEGRIS Foundations, at (405) 951-5037. | Dadulo is humbled and deeply touched by the gesture. “I’m really surprised. It’s always an honor to receive any sort of award and it’s an honor to take care of people,” he says. Dadulo believes a good nurse is someone who “knows they are there for a reason. And truly feels it is not just a job but a calling.”
He is the very first INTEGRIS employee to receive this honor. He was presented with a recognition letter and a guardian angel lapel pin to wear with pride. Once a caregiver has been recognized ten times, he/she will receive a special lapel pin made of gold.
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INTEGRIS Health Corporate Communications
3030 N.W. Expressway
Suite 1620
Oklahoma City, 73112
(405) 951-4826 |
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