Desiree McClendon: Newton Medical Center, Covington

By Laura Raines

For AJC Jobs

For Desiree McClendon, giving birth seven years ago was a defining moment in more than the usual way. Her daughter was born prematurely and spent a month in the hospital, yet “it was the best delivery experience ever,” said McClendon, 30. “Tara Reid, a clinical coordinating nurse at Southern Regional [Medical Center] was amazing. I thought if I could take care of someone like that — that’s what I want to do.”

Barry Williams, Special Desiree McClendon

Barry Williams, Special Desiree McClendon was nominated by the family of a patient who died in the ICU at Newton Medical Center.

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McClendon was headed for a career in education, but switched to nursing and graduated with an associate degree from Gordon College in Barnesville. She’s been a nurse for six years.

“I thought I wanted to work in labor and delivery, but then I did a rotation in an intensive care unit and loved it,” she said.

McClendon was there to care for Danny Tipton when he was admitted to the ICU at Newton Medical Center in Covington last September.

“Desiree was just another face in a parade of medical technicians when we first were shuttled into ICU, but as we began to fight for my son’s life, she became more than just another face. She became our strength,” wrote Mary Collins, Tipton’s mother.

Her son had been battling cancer and other health problems for 16 years when he was brought to the emergency room with breathing problems.

“Once he was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, he got really sick, really fast. In caring for him, his family and I developed a sense of trust. We became really close,” McClendon said.

When Tipton was intubated and placed on a ventilator, McClendon walked the family through that difficult decision. During the final month of his life, the nurse bathed him and talked to him.

“Even though he seemed to be unconscious, she always reassured us that he could hear us talk,” Collins said. “Looking back, I know that he was comforted by her mere presence.”

When it became evident that his condition would not improve, McClendon helped the family through the wrenching decision to remove the ventilator. She even came to work on her day off to support them during the ordeal.

Working in ICU, McClendon has often cried with patients’ families. Knowing that she and her team have done the best they can to care for patients gives her peace.

“What keeps me going is the excitement of learning something new every day and knowing that I can help somebody,” she said.