Nurses and Patients: "I'm Only a Call Away"

By Kaley Johnson

Tiffany Skrodzki, R.N., CCRC, has worked with the same family for four and a half years in her role as a Research Nurse Coordinator. As a baby, her patient Rushton was diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism. He was transferred to the NICU at Cook Children’s, which is one of two hospitals in the country that are considered Centers of Excellence by the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Institution for treating the condition. Rushton’s family lives in Utah, but they have traveled to the Cook Children's Hyperinsulinism Center several times a year since his birth for treatment.

During that time, Tiffany has gotten to know the family well and has watched the now-4-year-old’s freedom expand due to treatment. She’s watched Rushton’s progress and growth while providing the family with both medical and emotional support. 

Sometimes, in addition to medical expertise, a family needs to hear they’re doing a good job, and everything is going to be okay, she says. Tiffany is able to provide that support, especially since she has known the family for so long.

“They have my cell phone number, they always know I’m only a call away,” Tiffany said. “They know if they call me, I can help them, or if I can’t, I get them the help they need.”

Since the family lives in Utah, they might have to take Rushton to a local Emergency Department or health care provider who does not know his rare disorder as well as his Cook Children’s team does. Because of this, they sometimes contact Tiffany or Paul Thornton, M.D., one the most recognized and respected hyperinsulinism specialists here and around the world. They make sure the treatment Ruston is receiving at any other facilities is the best course of action for him.

Every time she sees Rushton, Tiffany is able to see how much he’s grown and changed.

“It’s worth it when you start looking at making a difference,” she said.