@3wishesprogram
End-of-life program in which HCWs elicit and implement small final wishes for dying patients and their families. Originated in Canada, now at UCLA, Beth Israel, Niagara Health, UW, University of Utah, and many others. #Humanism #Compassion #Kindness
Bc this was a baby who died, it was a hand & footprint painting instead of a fingerprint painting. It's hard to think about kids dying, but our @3wishesprogram.bsky.social volunteer artist did such a wonderful job with the parent's request--depicting the 3 little animals that were on her mobile.
@3wishesprogram.bsky.social is about honoring the patient as a PERSON rather than their illness in their death.
@3wishesprogram.bsky.social is about honoring the patient as a PERSON rather than their illness in their death.
Our @3wishesprogram.bsky.social journey. It takes a village and I’m so grateful for the nurses and volunteers who have walked along my side. youtu.be/yzybQgUpfLQ?...
If you're bored and need something to do today, check out my @uclahealth.org podcast on @3wishesprogram.bsky.social that just want live! It's also available on Apple podcast and spotify. www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzyb...
One of my ex-UCLA-trainee is planning to start and lead a @3wishesprogram.bsky.social at Kaiser! How cool is that???
A fingerprint painting for a beautiful soul who loved the color purple. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
To commemorate their late mom, the family requested a fingerprint painting of a botanical garden. In that garden, they requested a red hummingbird to represent their mom and a ladybug and butterfly to represent her 2 daughters. Can you see them? @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Our music therapist sang and recorded Celine Dion's "Because You Love Me" at the request of a daughter who lost her mom. Her mom's heartbeat recording are the "drums" in the background. I honestly cried listening to this. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
It's pretty incredible, but as of the end of last month, our UCLA @3wishesprogram.bsky.social has fulfilled over 8000 wishes!
Another beautiful fingerprint painting for the family of a bereaved patient. The patient loved roses and the mountains. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
We had the privilege of putting together a @3wishesprogram.bsky.social Celebration of Life for patient way too young to be dying. Favorite food was eaten, speeches were made, tears were shed. Hold the ones you love tight.
This adorable bunny rabbit, with a recording of the patient's final heartbeats, is going out to the family today. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Our mission is to foster compassion, dignity, kindness, and human connection, among patients, families, and HCW's during a patient's end-of-life period in the hospital. It seems appropriate that we move to where the skies are blue.
Check out the amazing job our volunteer artist did for our latest @3wishesprogram.bsky.social fingerprint painting. The patient liked American muscle cars, baseball, and fishing. I had to google what an "American muscle car" meant, but glad that our artist knew!
One of our #ICU nurses (who is NOT Chinese) went above and beyond to create this EKG frame with Chinese characters that say "Father's Heart" for a grieving family. I am so grateful for all those who have shared our @3wishesprogram.bsky.social mission.
We just got a request for a @3wishesprogram.bsky.social "Celebration of Life" luncheon for a dying patient. We take so many things for granted every day.
I am reminded of the gentlemen who we did a "reverse funeral" for a few years ago. He was so happy that day (pic shared with permission).
These folks reached out to me in 2024 and now there's a @3wishesprogram.bsky.social in CT! #Kindness is spreading.
www.ctpost.com/news/article...
We did it! A last minute @3wishesprogram.bsky.social luau! Outdoors in beautiful 70 degree weather in the middle of January!
I was just notified that a patient was allowed to see their cat as part of the @3wishesprogram.bsky.social and my heart just broke into a thousand pieces. #PetsAreFamily
A friend of mine let me know that she has started a @3wishesprogram.bsky.social at her hospital (Good Samaritan in San Jose)!!! #Kindness is spreading.
Filmed for @uclahealth.org “Medically Speaking” podcast today! I spoke about @3wishesprogram.bsky.social. I absolutely hate cameras and pleased to say that it wasn’t too bad!
A grandmother was really hoping to be able to meet her 1st granddaughter before she died this past year. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. The nurses at LA General Medical Center made this ornament with grandma's fingerprint to give to the baby when she arrives. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
An end-of-life patient smiling in his hospital bed with a plate of his favorite foods in front of him. He died a few weeks later. Shared with permission.
He knew his time was near & when told about the #3WishesProgram, he requested what he called a "reverse funeral"--an occasion for his friends & family to gather, for him to hear their speeches about him, & eat his favorite foods. How did the event go? I think his smile says it all (shared w/ perm.)
One year ago, our #ICU trainings decided to sing "Stand by Me" as part of the @3wishesprogram.bsky.social to dying patient on Xmas morning. One of them now writes, "When I think about my residency at UCLA, I will fondly remember this moment of love, solidarity, and compassion." Oh my heart.
As of the NY, we have fulfilled wishes for nearly 2500 patients--39 of which were in December. I am very proud of this, but I can't help but feel sad for all the families who lost their loved ones as many of us were celebrating Xmas & NY. 'Tis the season to be grateful. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Three teddy bears in Xmas hoodies. These bears contain sound modules that play a custom song with the patient's heartbeat sounds (recorded before the patient died) as the "drums". They are sent to families as keepsakes as part of our 3 wishes program.
Received a note reminding me why we do what we do: "This made me weep. This is so beautiful & such a wonderful, priceless gift. I can't begin to express our gratitude. I lost it. Thank you will never be enough. Your kindness has touched our hearts for eternity." @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
This @3wishesprogram.bsky.social fingerprint painting was for a patient whose family told us was a "man of faith" and loved playing the guitar. Isn't the rosary using his fingerprint just stunning?! #EOLcare
Sometimes, these hooks are for IV bags. Sometimes, they are to help families enjoy their last Christmas together. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
