DAISY winner is both a bedside nurse and ECMO clinician, seeing patients and families through dark days.
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
Matt Roehrig spent years working as a unit secretary in the resource center for IU Health University and Riley Hospital for Children before he decided to become a nurse.
It was his mom, a nurse herself, who steered him into healthcare initially, but the idea of joining the nursing profession began to come into focus the more time he spent in the resource center.
Roehrig, who was recently honored with a DAISY award for his clinical skills and compassionate care, earned his nursing degree from Ivy Tech and joined the PICU as a nurse in 2015.
Two years later, he trained to become an ECMO clinician, in addition to his bedside nurse duties, supporting critically ill patients suffering heart or lung failure with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
It was in that role where he met a family who would come to rely on his advocacy and his honesty in the care of their child, who faced a potential limb amputation.
Roehrig leaned on his communication skills to guide the family through the ordeal, and things turned out for the best, but that’s not always a given.
“Often, we have to deliver difficult news and have tough conversations. I think parents appreciate the honesty,” he said.
“You can absolutely have some difficult days, but you’re able to care for people in some of their worst moments and try to make a positive impact. When you can see everything through and be part of a positive outcome for families, that’s really what motivates me.”
It made a difference for one patient’s family, who said in nominating Roehrig that he had been a huge part of their child’s recovery as well as a support for both parents.
“I will never forget what he did that day, his professionalism, and the compassion he showed,” they wrote. “We are forever grateful for Matt and consider him one of (our child’s) heroes.”
Roehrig has two sons, ages 5 and 2, with his wife, Tabitha. Together, the family loves to spend time outside at the lake or pool.
“We all enjoy being around water when the weather is nice.”
Nominate a nurse who exemplifies excellent clinical skills and compassionate care here. https://www.rileychildrens.org/form/riley-daisy-award
Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org
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