We're Blessed to Have Her as Our Coworker

If I could choose a nurse to take care of me as a patient here at Bronson Battle Creek, it would be, HANDS DOWN, Mrs. Jori Withers! Why? There are so so many reasons why and I hope that I can perfectly describe to you what a truly, wholeheartedly COMPASSIONATE nurse she has been, still is and will always be.

I've had the privilege of working side by side with Jori for nearly 24 years here at our wonderful Bronson Battle Creek Endoscopy department. That's A LOT of work memories that come to mind as I'm sitting here writing this. It's hitting me emotionally when I think of all the people in our surrounding community and beyond, including coworkers, that Jori has affected in the most COMPASSIONATE way! And this is because she has a kind, inviting soul that makes patient's feel at ease and safe within her care. She listens and pays careful attention to what her patient's needs are and acts on those needs without fail and with priority. She never makes anyone feel rushed even at times when there is so much on her "nursing plate".

There is a specific example I'd love to share that reflects everything about this wonderful nurse. A couple years ago. a gentleman came into our Endoscopy department for a procedure. Jori recognized him instantly as a parent from a local school. She didn't know him personally but, knew that he had a history of being difficult to deal with and that many people avoided him due to his negative and emotionally abusive behavior. And without fail, this patient came into our admitting area visibly angry by his facial expressions and in what he was saying. You could definitely see this man had issues and was going to be a challenge to care for. But, guess who picked up that challenge? Jori did! And she didn't complain about the task that might have seemed like climbing up a huge mountain to others. I witnessed the entire encounter and let me tell you, it was like a miracle! What Jori did first...is she listened. She listened for what seemed like a very long time. She let this man talk first and didn't disagree with him, she didn't interrupt, she just let him decompress. She was the safe space for him to reach out to when he was actually just nervous about his upcoming procedure and his way of dealing with it was to react negatively. But as the minutes went by, you could see this man's bulging visible veins in his forehead subside and his shoulders started to relax. He started to trust her. Jori began speaking softly and calmly like she usually does. And this man listened to her and even was starting to speak positively to her. By Jori listening, speaking calmly, offering words of affirmation, giving him warm blankets, turning down the lights while he waited for his procedure, she actually helped this man do a 180 degree behavior change. Instead of this patient using his negative behavior to hide the fact that he was just scared, Jori helped him feel safe and broke down that defensive behavior wall showing the other side that was secure and protected care.

Honestly, Jori has demonstrated COMPASSION over and over again over the past 24 years that I've known her. How blessed BBC is to have her as one of their own. How blessed I am, to not only have her as a wonderful coworker, but, as a dear dear friend.