The oncologist at OHSU, who treated my son, gave me his home and other personal numbers because the local hospital was giving me a hard time whenever I would have to rush him to the ER...I knew what his blood tests meant...better than him as I monitored them all myself as taught to by his doctor and nurses, and they did not get that they needed to listen to me...a couple of calls to the doctor's home and that cleared up that situation. This specialist even took the kids (and their families) who were nearing the end for overnight stays on his houseboat for fishing, bbq's, whatever would make them happy...this was on his OWN free/limited time/days off.....
The nurses at the VA hospital took excellent care of my dad...right up till his last breath...the doctor's never gave up on him, helping him with whatever procedure/medication to make his last year as comfortable as possible.
The nurses at Emanuel in the NeoNatal unit...words cannot express their devotion to their little patients...they go out of their way to help the parents and family understand the medical issues, they laugh and cry over every step forward and on the day you get to take them home. When the worst happens, they hold your hand when the bad news comes, make all of the arrangements when it is time to let them go, and hold you and crying with you, when you think your heart is going to break, and you are going to die too. The doctor's are wonderful there, too. They will spend as much time as needed to explain diagnosis, treatments, tests, and sat with us through the bad news...holding our hands, apologizing for not being able to help/treat the little guy, wiping away their tears, asking if there is anything at all that they can do to help in anyway.
The nurse who helped deliver my great-nephew was awesome, she pushed the on call doc to call a specialist in, and was the driving force in getting a diagnosis and his transfer to a hospital with the means to care for him. She even came to his memorial service...that meant so much to the parents and the rest of us too!!! This was on HER time on HER DAY OFF!!!
I could go on and on about the various health care individuals who have helped my family, friends and myself...these people above stuck out in my mind the most....
Yes, there have been a few I remember over the last 40 years who probably should have chosen different careers, but isn't that true with any profession???