“I came in after an auto accident – also intoxicated badly. She knew me because I had been there many times for my alcohol abuse. She counseled me and got me into rehab. I am sober for 15 months because of her caring and kindness. She saved my life.” That note, received from a grateful patient, honored Venus, a nurse navigator at Hackensack University Medical Center in the First Thirty Program. In her six years at the hospital, she has seen many patients more than once. She sees each and every one of those interactions as an opportunity to help. This patient was no exception. “I knew exactly who he was and I hadn’t seen him in quite some time. He had a lot of challenges. For him to still remember that day was really impactful. I was so happy he finally said ‘yes’ to help and allowed me to connect him with the services he needed to heal,” says Venus. The thank you, too, was meaningful. “Nursing isn’t a job you do for the thank you. You don’t always get thank you notes, but this note brought me to tears. I have it on my bulletin board,” she says. Venus chose nursing because she loves helping people, and behavioral health offered a chance to support a population that is often ignored. “Every time I see a patient who has been here more than once, I see it as a new opportunity. Maybe this is the right time. Maybe they will agree to get help,” she says. “You can’t let past refusals keep us from offering the care they need.” The trajectory of a patient’s life, as well as their loved ones’ lives, can change for the better when a patient is helped with addiction. “A little change makes a big impact. Patients who suffer from addictions need to be treated as though it’s an illness. There is no shame in needing treatment and asking for help,” Venus says. “This patient population needs to be approached and treated with empathy and compassion.” #PeopleofHMH (fb)

Getting a CT calcium score can be a great way to assess your heart health. Here's how to read your results. #hearthealth #wellness #doctorsappointment #cardiology #ctcalciumscore (fb)