Wynn

Scott, I still cannot believe this and I am grateful for the site to be able to share with others. Wynn was one of the dearest and funniest and MOST UNUSUAL people I have ever known! He was a delight in class, always something to say and usually funny - impossible to get mad at him! I have several stories I am very fond of. I teach Pharmacology and he always had something to add, but this particular day I was talking about patients' rights and autonomy and the nurse's role as patient advocate. Wynn had just started his first clinical experience and soon was in a room with the patient, her family, physcian and other nurse. Apparently, they were talking "around" the patient and not including her in the decision-making process. Wynn spoke up (a first semester student nurse!) that he thought they should ask the patient what she wanted, this was what they had been taught in class!

The next day I got a very long email from Wynn (he LOVED long emails!) asking if I thought he had done the right thing, and what is the appropriate behavior when you are being yelled at by a physician? "Who do you think you are???" were some of the words he recalled! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but I did know how proud I was of him. It also reminded me that on occasion, people listen to what I say and take it to heart, and that's exactly what he did. We talked about other strategies for the next time which might avoid confrontation in front of the patient and family and hopefully would avoid the yelling part, but I don't think he really cared, as long as he was there for the patient! He was a wonderful nurse! One thing that makes me so sad is that the world will miss out on that. He would have been so important to our profession, he's the kind of person who would leave us much better than he found us.

My second favorite Wynn story is again, a long email! I received this from him while he was in Mexico last summer with Ruth Grubesic and a group of students. It was long and funny and hysterical about his trying to speak Spanish and do assessments. My favorite line was that the word for pineapple and penis were very close and he kept mixing them up leading to some very interesting situations! Only Wynn!

To all those who knew him and loved him and especially to his parents and brother and his family - his loss will be felt forever. He was a special person, I am glad I had the chance to know him and will keep his memory alive forever. You are all in my prayers during this painful and difficult time.
Brenda Haile
TWU