Giving Compassionate Care

When Jesse Teekell was medevaced to Tulane Medical Center in June 2019, he was comatose and in multiple organ failure. 

Because of Tulane's outstanding medical care and compassionate healing, he regained consciousness and lived for nearly another three months. His family is grateful for the exceptional care he received from Tulane nurses, respiratory therapists, dialysis specialists, nutritionists, and his team of doctors. 

"The staff there is unbelievable," said Michele Barnett, who spent much of the 76-day stay at her brother's Tulane bedside. "They reassured him when he was anxious or scared, especially at night. They urged him to stay hopeful, and because of their encouragement, he kept fighting for his life. I know they're just doing their job, but to his family, it meant the world." 

After being in the SICU at Tulane, Teekell, 59, was transferred to a skilled nursing facility in Baton Rouge, where his body eventually gave out. 

Barnett, and her daughter Jesse, Teekell's niece, wish that each nurse who cared for him could receive The DAISY Award®, a recognition program honoring extraordinary caregivers. 

"Thanks to Tulane, we got an extra three months with him, and his family and friends got to tell him how much we loved him," said Jesse Barnett. In appreciation of their brother and uncle's excellent care, the Barnetts made a gift to Tulane School of Medicine in his memory.