“I’ve always been a caregiver, ever since I was little. I just like to take care of people,” says...
Summer Brown, BS, RRT-ACCS, the Respiratory Therapy Manager at Select Specialty Hospitals - Nashville West, has been helping save lives since 2008.
She still recalls the first time she had a child come into the ER in critical condition.
"I just broke down because at the time I had small children of my own, and they were all I could think about. My teacher told me I have to remember that you are the person in the room who knows what to do. You can break down later, but at that moment you are the person that can help, and you have to focus on that," Summer said. "Since that one comment, I've led my career with confidence in my training, knowing that I have an opportunity to help my patients."
That training was put to the test when COVID-19 struck and patient census spiked at the critical illness recovery hospital.
"All the rules that we knew on how to treat things and what processes we use just went out the window," Summer said. "But now, after such a tragic and scary time, I can say that I'm a respiratory therapist and people have a better understanding of what that is. That was never the case before. On the first day of school, I was told if you are looking for recognition or a pat on the back just get up and leave because you'll never get it."
USME is pleased to honor Summer as January's Healthcare Hero.
SSH Nashville West opened in January of last year, and since then Summer and her colleagues worked with USME to fill their medical equipment needs.
"It's imperative that we have the equipment we need at our fingertips at a moment's notice because we're the ones that run the life support so if we don't have our machines, we're not going to be able to help patients," Summer said. "USME gives me the peace of mind to know that if I need something, I can call, and your team can find it or find a solution for me. I always know when I call USME and I say, 'I need X, Y and Z,' they're on it super-fast, which is good for our patients. Every person I've spoken to has been helpful, nice and knowledgeable."
