Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond

Monday, July 24, 2023

An elderly gentleman had been hit by a car a month earlier. When he pulled up to Watson Clinic Urgent Care Main in an Uber, he was disheveled, tattered, and in desperate need of medical attention.

Luckily, licensed practical nurse Dawn Lash-Bazemore was there to lend a hand.

"He kept saying over and over again that he didn’t want to be a burden," Dawn recalled. But once he was seated in the lobby, Dawn could see he need immediate assistance.

After the car accident, the man had received care at Lakeland Regional Health's emergency room and was discharged after they placed a brace on his wounded leg. Now, that brace had come off and he was unable to put it back on.

Dawn was able to reapply the brace. Then she learned more of the man’s story.

The man was on his own, and clearly didn’t have the means or ability to properly care for himself.

"I just looked at him and thought he could be my parents," Dawn said.

She emailed his Watson Clinic primary care provider and let their office know her worries for his wellbeing. Then she made sure he was put back in a cab and returned home safely.

"I came back to work that Monday and found out that his primary care had already been in touch and arranged home health care for him," Dawn marveled. "Meals on Wheels is also getting involved."

The man insisted he didn’t want to be a burden, but he was brave enough to ask for assistance that day. Dawn was there in his time of need.

"To me, Dawn’s actions are an example of why many of us went into nursing. A desire to help people," praised Watson Clinic Clinical Services Director Heather Gordon, MPH. "I couldn’t be more proud of her and the compassion she showed to the gentleman."

Special thanks to Dawn for representing the best of Watson Clinic.

7/24/2023

Comments:

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Jill Allen says:

Congratulations on a job well done. As someone who was released from Lakeland Regional last week with a knee replacement, I can’t imagine trying to do this alone. I too have had wonderful interactions withe the folks a Watson Clinic. I truly appreciate your and their caring.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Tony Kirk says:

Job Well Done Dawn, your compassion and awareness of this gentlemen's need for more than just medical care is commendable and I am sure he will be forever grateful. Thank God for you and all that you do.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Joni Lavoie says:

My daughter currently works for LRH and has been a dedicated employee there for the last 15 plus years. She like Dawn always puts her patients first. Unfortunately LRH will soon be losing her as an employee as they refuse to simply match her salary to those of the 2 newly hired MAs working under her with less experience and the same degrees. It is great to see Watson Clinic give credit due to good employees.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Karen Kohler says:

Dawn is great nurse! She used to be a PCSB nurse and she was always on top of her game there too! She is missed everyday, but so happy she works for Watson Clinic using her skills for the greater good!

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Dan Presgrave says:

It is always noteworthy when someone can separate themselves from the hustle and busle of this crazy world and put the well-being of another person first. What a kind heart. BRAVO!

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Lila Smith says:

I have been with Watson clinic for 23 years, but had to relocate to Ocalla to to my husband‘s health. He too was a patient there. I miss Watson clinic so much they just such a great job for George and I. It is so different up in Ocala. There is no place like Watson clinic. We did get my George into a terrific, assisted living, and I’m living with my son. Watson clinic meant a lot to me and I knew it was always there for me. I enjoyed reading your newsletters.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Linda Brown says:

I'm so thankful for the compassion, kindness and medical treatment given to this man that day by Dawn. I thank God for people in the medical profession that remember there are many people that are in desperate need of compassion and kindness along with medical treatment. Thank you for sharing this story along with recognizing Dawn.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Patricia Hylton says:

Reading about Urgent Care Nurse Dawn Lash-Bazemore going above and beyond in taking notice to do the right thing that was well needed for the elderly gentleman that didn’t want to be a burden. Dawn I thank you for taking the time to notice and care for the true urgent needs that a person might be experiencing coming into your facility and not turning a deaf ear to it. It’s easier to ignore; but you didn’t; you did the right thing and helped not only this elderly gentleman but a many other nurses and non nurses reading your story and wanting to do the right thing in just being aware and willing to go the extra mile to help a disabled, elderly, injured person that’s maybe in distress and needs the right resource program to reach out to them and check in on them for post care. You deserve a Halo ??.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Carlene says:

She is an asset to The Watson Clinic. The Primary Care office was able to get some needed care for the patient as well. Being a retired RMA from that facility makes me proud of these very caring and compassionate people.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Diana says:

Thank you for your kindness, when we get old it seems that we are destined to have problems, and too many of us are on our own, I know that there is a special place in Heaven for nurses and you will have yours. I wish other people in general could show compassion and lend a helping hand when they see anyone in stress. Thank you again on behalf of all of us.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Karen Winslow says:

Watson clinic has some of the most awesome nurses..so proud to be a patient of Watson clinic have been going to Watson clinic since I was a child. Dr. W.S. Johnson was my pediatrician. Dr. Rony Alvarado is my primary care now. So proud of Dawn for going above and beyond.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Rick Dale says:

AS a 68 year old man I dread this happening to me as I age.... Aging is a terrible process where we as human beings lose the ability to do what we have done and/or enjoyed doing our entire life.... ...... Bless this woman ( Dawn) for taking the extra step..... I will have to add that MOST people in the medical field seem to have the need to help others....

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Elaine Stoddard says:

Congratulations ?? Dawn you are wonderful.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Sunday, August 6, 2023
David Holm says:

I am impressed but not surprised. I have been to urgent care a few times myself and found them to be sincerely caring and competent professionals, especially Dr. Escobar.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Sunday, August 6, 2023
David Holm says:

I am impressed but not surprised. I have been to urgent care a few times myself and found them to be sincerely caring and competent professionals, especially Dr. Escobar.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Sunday, August 6, 2023
V.E. ROBBINS says:

Very proud of Dawn's action, she saw a need and responded. Thank you for your dedication.

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Monday, August 7, 2023
Mary Ellen Leis says:

Compassion is the heart of good healthcare . Many professionals lack this trait. A smile, listening and showing interest in the patients complaint and taking the necessary action in a caring way is what Dawn did for the gentleman. I’m sure it gave him great comfort. Thank you Dawn and the many others that do the same!

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Monday, August 7, 2023
Melissa Miles says:

This was a wonderful story of kindness and doing the right thing. Even though it should be expected that a nurse would handle this situation the way she did, not all would have done that unfortunately. Kudos to Dawn for doing the right thing! ??

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Monday, August 7, 2023
Laura weeks says:

Dawn is one of the most caring people I know so it doesn't surprise me that she went above and beyond for this man she goes above and beyond in everything she does

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Monday, August 7, 2023
Jeanne M Thompson says:

It seems to me that nurse Dawn Lash-Bazemore is in the correct profession. What a wonderful, caring person she is!! I have been to the urgent care Main Clinic & have had excellent care there as well. Keep up the good work!

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Monday, August 7, 2023
Janet Sutton says:

That really touched my heart there are so many elderly have NO ONE don't know how to get help.. Truly is sad. It's so wonderful to hear good things like the elder gentleman. The Lord sent him to Dawn Thankfully she went beyond or he may still be unattended and no help. God Bless You Dawn. Sincerely Janet Sutton PS: I'm Dr. Vo patient

Response to: Urgent Care Nurse Goes Above and Beyond
Monday, August 7, 2023
Elaine Henry says: