Poppy Cowles was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Youngstown State University and also has a master’s degree in nursing education. She has served as a dialysis nurse for 20 years. Working as a traveling nurse, she was offered and accepted a full-time position at a Columbus area hospital in 2019. Poppy moved to Newark to be closer to her new job.

In April 2023, while driving to work, Poppy began experiencing pain and burning in her chest which she thought was heartburn. However, the pain began radiating to her shoulder and back. Since she was still in Newark, Poppy drove herself to the Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) Emergency Department (ED). As soon as Poppy explained to the registration staff that she was having chest pains, she was taken to a triage room where staff members quickly assessed her condition and then transported her to an exam room.

“From the very beginning of my visit to the ED, the nurses and staff were on top of the situation ensuring my safety and comfort. They listened carefully to my concerns and reacted quickly by ordering the necessary laboratory testing to determine what was causing my pain and offered medications to ease the discomfort,” Poppy said. “I explained that I have a shellfish allergy which means being cautious of certain medications and tests.”

Staff members monitored Poppy for signs of a possible heart attack. Blood samples were sent to the Licking Memorial Laboratory to test for troponin-I levels. Very high levels of troponin-I are an indicator that a heart attack has occurred. Troponin-I is a type of protein found in the muscles of the heart, but is not typically found in the blood. When heart muscles become damaged, troponin-I is sent into the bloodstream, and as heart damage increases, greater amounts of troponin-I are released. LMH was the first institution in the United States to offer high sensitivity troponin-I testing. In addition to the lab tests, Poppy also underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record the electrical signal from the heart to monitor for possible heart conditions.

The ED physician determined that the results from both the lab tests and the ECG were abnormal, and that Poppy would require further testing. She was admitted and sent to a Hospital room and told that she would undergo a stress test the following morning. “Again, the nursing staff was very attentive. They took time to talk with me and made me feel comfortable. Many nurses and patient care assistants visited with me, and each one was kind, patient, and caring,” Poppy shared.

While in her room, Poppy was visited by a cardiologist who determined that waiting for the stress test was unnecessary since Poppy was still experiencing pain. She was taken to the Heart Catheterization Laboratory where the cardiologist examined her heart function and arteries to determine if there were blockages. During the procedure, Poppy was awake and able to watch the staff perform the procedure.

“It was fascinating to watch the process from the patient’s perspective. The nurses were amazing. They were comfortable with one another and laughed together putting me at ease. They talked with me and kept me occupied which also made me feel that I was in very capable hands,” Poppy explained.

After the procedure, Poppy was informed there was no need for more medical intervention with her heart. The cardiologist recommended lifestyle changes instead, such as lowering her cholesterol, to assist in reducing further complications. She was referred to her primary care physician for follow-up care. Just a few days after her experience, Poppy was back at work.

“As a nurse, I greatly appreciated the care I received. I was treated in the same manner in which I would offer care to my own patients, with compassion and consideration,” Poppy said. “Being a nurse or a patient care assistant is a difficult vocation. There always seems to be staffing shortages which can leave those in the field overworked and stressed out, but the LMH staff took the time to be attentive to my needs and offer quality care. I was impressed with everyone. I never felt as though someone was too busy to assist me.”

Poppy is one of six nurses in her family. Her great grandmother, grandmother, mother, aunt, and sister all share the same love of caring for others. Now that she is back to work, Poppy has been trying to follow the advice given and lower her cholesterol. Her busy schedule often makes it difficult to consume healthy foods, but she has four grown children, and eight grandchildren who motivate her to continue the battle to stay healthy. To relax, Poppy enjoys sewing crafts and gardening.