Burn clinic nurse puts patients at ease

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10/27/2024

Angela Seitz

Angela Seitz is recognized with a DAISY for calming the fears of a young girl who suffered a severe leg injury.

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

Angela Seitz could see the fear in the young girl’s face.

Ava St. Louis, 10, had suffered serious injuries to her leg in a golf cart accident.

“A lot of kids are scared walking into the burn clinic, but she just had this look of fear, like this was going to be her worst day ever,” recalled Seitz, a longtime nurse in the outpatient burn unit at Riley Hospital for Children.

“I told her we were going to get through this and she was going to get better.”

Seitz worked her magic – clinically and emotionally – and Ava relaxed in time. On return visits, the young girl was eager to show off the progress she had made.

Angela Seitz and Ava

“Look what I’ve done,” Seitz recalls Ava telling her during one follow-up visit. “I did what you told me to do, and it was hard, but I did it.”

Those moments of satisfaction motivate patients and team members to continue the hard work of healing.

Seitz, who started her Riley career working on the teen unit when the hospital was divided into age-based units, never thought she wanted to work in burn. But her boss suggested she give it a try.

“It only took one patient to seal the deal for me,” she said. “I can still see that patient in my mind to this day.”

It’s not an easy job, but Seitz loves it.

“We have to have a lot of tough conversations that last a long time,” she said. “It’s not just one injury and it’s fixed. You have to remember the trauma behind the injury and deal with the aftermath through healing.”

That means lots of follow-up visits and procedures over the years. But that’s part of what Seitz loves – watching patients grow.

Ava’s mom, Krista St. Louis, saw how her daughter responded to Seitz during months of treatment, and she was moved to nominate the 30-year nurse for a DAISY award, recognizing clinical skills and compassion.

Seitz, a former Margaret Martin Roth Award winner, was surprised by her team recently with the DAISY.

Angela Seitz

“I was in a patient’s room when all of the sudden my boss was there … and said she needed to talk to me. I’m thinking, what did I do wrong?”

Actually, she had done everything right.

Ava’s mom agreed to share her nomination and photos of Ava for this story:

“Angela is one-of-a-kind,” she wrote. “My 10-year-old daughter was petrified to go to her wound care appointments. Angela was the first person Ava had an interaction with, and she calmed her fears quickly. She listened to her concerns and gave her the reassurance she needed.”

Ava looked forward to showing off her progress on each return visit, St. John said.

“At every appointment, Angela met us with a smile and positive attitude. She made every dressing change bearable for Ava and made it a fun experience,” she said.

“My daughter had a positive experience during a rough time in her life, and it would not have been that way without Angela. She is the best! She makes such a difference in kids’ as well as parents’ lives. Thank you, Angela, for caring for our daughter like she was one of your own.”

Angela Seitz and family

Seitz and her husband, Mark, have one son, Ryan, who is a high school senior in Fishers. Ryan is a competitive fisherman, so that’s how the family spends a lot of weekends – traveling to fishing tournaments.

“I am a fisherwoman,” she said. “And a fishing mom. When your son likes something, you learn to like it too.”

Nominate a nurse who exemplifies excellent clinical skills and compassionate care here.

Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org