South Mag South Issue 71 | Page 88

LYNDSEY LYNDSEY HARPER OCCUPATION: CRITICAL CARE REGISTERED NURSE EMPLOYED: CANDLER INTENSIVE CARE UNIT Working in the ICU isn’t for everyone. Not many can step up in the face of death, sickness, injury and still know what to do without crippling under the pressure. “You have to be kind of crazy, a little weird,” Lyndsey said. “When you’re busy saving lives you don’t get to think about them as a mother or a father.” Just the same, no one, not even a battle-hardened nurse, is immune from humanity. Lyndsey recalls a woman who passed on Thanksgiving of 2016, surrounded by family. Something about her touched Lyndsey. “People die every day, but I cried for her. I’m still in touch with her family even now.” GABRIELLE GABRIELLE LAWRENCE OCCUPATION: RN, MSN, CNN EMPLOYED: FRESENIUS MEDICAL/SAVANNAH TECH HOMETOWN: SAVANNAH, GA EDUCATION: MSN GRADUATE EXCELSIOR COLLEGE Gabrielle Lawrence is a nurse that leads by example. “Lifestyle modification improves overall wellness and boosts quality of life.” Realizing what an impact her own health can be on her practice, she is living proof of what discipline and clear goals can achieve. Her positive attitude has proven infectious, and her dedication to physical fitness, exercising three times a week, has shown her patients what can be achieved by hard work. Although she would never use the term role model, it’s certainly something her patients can look to for inspiration as they look to improve their own health. 88 S OUT H M AGA ZI NE.C OM