Jadranka (Adrianne) Karanusic, RN

Endoscopy Unit

Broward General Medical Center

Ft. Lauderdale

For 18 years, Jadranka Karanusic (nickname Adrianne), RN, has provided many with healthcare needs, but most recently, she surpassed her job description by demonstrating not only her daily empathy and commitment to her patient, but assuring that her patient was taken care of outside of the hospital.

Adrianne, a nurse at the Endoscopy Department at Broward General Medical Center, had been caring for a patient who is from Croatia and spoke no English.  The patient, who worked on a cruise ship, had become critically ill, which led to the removal of his entire stomach due to cancer.

Adrianne, who speaks Croatian, would make herself available any day and time to interpret for the patient in order to ensure the communication flow with doctors and his family.  She visited him before she began her shift and during her breaks.  She would also call the patient’s family in Croatia from her personal cell to keep them up-to-date.

Adrianne went as far as to seek financial relief for her patient by contacting Croatian Churches in New York and California where she raised $10,000.

The support and the overwhelming compassion that was demonstrated by Adrianne on a daily basis did not end in the hospital.  Upon the patient’s discharge, Adrianne offered the patient and his wife to stay at her home until their departure back to their country, Croatia.

Furthermore, with the concern that the patient or his wife would be unable to explain the clinical ailments, Adrianne requested a week off to accompany her patient and his wife to Croatia.

This incredible act of kindness that Adrianne demonstrated to her patient is far from a professional caring for a patient; it was more like a Broward General Medical Center nurse making a patient a family member.

It is imperative to bring to light the achievements and dedication of our nurses, in particular due to the shortage of nurses we have nationwide.  At Broward General Medical Center, we are proud and honored to have a nurse like Adrianne caring for our patients.

Bonnie Yagid, Assistant Nurse Manager, Endoscopy Unit

Broward General Medical Center