MALONE, NY – Comfort and calmness come in many forms in health care. Sometimes, all it takes is a caregiver’s presence.

Comforting comes easy for Patty Taylor, a nurse aide at University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center. One of her patients, who happened to be the husband of a registered nurse who works at the hospital, was dying. Rubeena Chaudrey, RN was notified and she immediately left for the hospital. In the meantime, Taylor began doing what she does best: providing comfort and compassion.

“My husband was anxious and wanted to come home,” Chaudrey explains in her nomination of Taylor for the hospital’s BEE Award. “Patty stayed with him, decreasing his anxiety until I got there. Her staying with him kept him calm.”

The compassionate care Taylor provided to Chaudrey’s husband is what led to her becoming Alice Hyde’s newest recipient of the BEE Award, which recognizes members of the hospital’s support staff who go above and beyond in their roles to improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of patients and their loved ones.

Tears of joy and appreciation flowed when Taylor found Chaudrey among the team and hugged her during this week’s surprise ceremony, recognizing the loss while paying tribute to the delivery of care the RN will never forget.

“For our family, it is not small. (It) was powerful care she provided him. She stepped up to meet his need. My family is forever thankful for her, that she made the last day of his life calm and peaceful,” Chaudrey adds.

During the award presentation, Taylor was presented with a certificate commending her for her extraordinary work. She, like all honorees, also received a BEE Award pin, a beautiful and meaningful sculpture and a basket filled with bee-themed gifts.

All Alice Hyde employees who support patient care by working together with physicians and registered nurses to provide exceptional care to patients and their families are eligible for the BEE Award. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and on the Alice Hyde website. Support staff may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving employee each quarter.