Heather Foucault, RN, has spent the past 15 years working in the ER at AdventHealth Parker. She knows firsthand how difficult it can be in the ER for families, especially when a patient passes away unexpectedly.
“It’s hard on both patients and nurses. You’re in the ER and it’s fast paced. As a nurse, you’re focused on taking care of patients, and you also want to show compassion to the families who are going through a difficult time,” said Heather.
After having a few patients pass away in the past year, Heather noticed a gap. Families often needed not only closure, but also information, after their loved one died.
“One of the patients who passed was a veteran. His wife was very concerned he wouldn’t get honors and be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery since he passed away suddenly, and not at the VA Hospital,” said Heather. “After he passed, I felt obligated to give these families something to help them and educate them.”
Heather took it upon herself to create special folders for veterans’ families with information on funeral homes, Fort Logan National Cemetery, the VA, and more. The folders also include a personalized card signed by the ER staff, and a special veteran’s medal meant to be a keepsake for the family.
“I feel like these folders are a compassionate way for us to show the family that we’re sorry they lost a loved one. The information gives them a place to start after having someone pass away unexpectedly and is meant to really help them through the process,” said Heather.
For Heather, the work is personal. Her own father, Roger Foucault, was a Vietnam War veteran who passed away four years ago.
“I am very proud of the men and women who serve our country, and this is a small way I can do something nice for them, and also make my dad proud.”
The AdventHealth Parker ER not only gives out folders to veterans, but Heather has also created a similar folder for non-veterans so that all families who lose someone at our hospital will immediately feel supported. It’s another example of how we provide whole-person care to patients and their families.
