AUBURN - Lisa White was the go-to girl at Auburn Memorial Hospital. Others wanted her around whenever there was a critical case in the emergency department.
Known for her unique style, Lisa, 36, had an understated confidence and knowledge base, said Barb Perkins, administrative nursing supervisor.
And like all of those who work at AMH, Lisa was one of the family.
“We're like brothers and sisters and we work together as a team. We tease each other ... Lisa was one of us,” said physician James Ciaccio, director of the emergency department.
Her tragic death Friday evening left employees at the community hospital in shock.
Emergency department personnel are trained to handle trauma situations and they have a way of putting on a tough exterior when they see extreme cases. But seeing someone you know and care about makes it much harder, Lisa's colleagues said.
“We deal with this stuff all the time but not when it's one of your own and certainly not this tragically,” said Karin Leonello, a nurse who worked with Lisa in the emergency department.
Lisa worked at the hospital since 1996, first as a licensed practical nurse and later as a registered nurse. She worked in the emergency department since 2003.
Emergency department workers received a call Friday night stating there was a trauma victim on the way to the hospital. Based on witnesses at the scene, the victim was identified as Lisa, said Kathy Estabrook, one of the nurses working last night.
“We were very shocked to find out that this happened,” she said. “It's unusual that a patient that comes to you under these circumstances is someone that you know and work with.”
When the ambulance arrived, the medical team did what they could but Estabrook suspects everybody knew the prognosis was very poor. During this time, she was in absolute shock and horror and felt a profound sadness, she said.
“What can you say? It's a very difficult thing to even imagine and to see. It's hard to describe,” Estabrook said.
All though she was devastated by the tragedy of seeing a co-worker die, Estabrook stayed at the hospital for the remainder of her shift.
“That's my job. There isn't anybody else there to do it,” she said. “That's what emergency room work is. You have to put your own feelings aside.”
Lisa was an outgoing individual who was always trying to better herself and she began working at the emergency department to further challenge herself, her co-workers said. She was also a tremendous advocate for underprivileged people.
As passionate as she was about her job, everything that Lisa did was done in the best interest of her family, especially her four children.
Hospital staff started coming together immediately after Lisa was pronounced dead Friday night. AMH offered - and is continuing to offer - support services for all employees to help begin the healing process for its staff as much as possible.
Chief Medical Officer James Blute said he received a call from chief nursing officer Kathy Kendrick Friday night.
Because of the possible danger of not knowing where Lisa's estranged husband, Jerry L. White Sr., was the hospital went into a partial lockdown. No services were curtailed but anyone who was coming into the hospital had to pass by a police officer.
Blute said the hospital will do whatever it can to assist grieving employees.
“It's an ongoing tragedy, it just doesn't end because it's over with. When one of your own family gets killed like this, it's always a horrendous thing,” he said.
Although Lisa's death left a big void for all those who knew her, her co-workers at the emergency department will remember her fondly.
“Lisa will be remembered as an affectionate mother, a dedicated emergency room nurse and a genuine and loyal friend,” they wrote in a flier being passed out at the hospital. “In grief for her death but gratitude for her life, we remember Lisa for her gift of love and dedication.”
How to help
Lisa's co-workers at Auburn Memorial Hospital set up a memorial fund for her four children. Those who wish to donate to the Lisa White Memorial Fund can write a check or money order to
AmeriCu Credit Union, 217 Grant Ave., Auburn, NY 13021
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
And like all of those who work at AMH, Lisa was one of the family.
“We're like brothers and sisters and we work together as a team. We tease each other ... Lisa was one of us,” said physician James Ciaccio, director of the emergency department.
Her tragic death Friday evening left employees at the community hospital in shock.
Emergency department personnel are trained to handle trauma situations and they have a way of putting on a tough exterior when they see extreme cases. But seeing someone you know and care about makes it much harder, Lisa's colleagues said.
“We deal with this stuff all the time but not when it's one of your own and certainly not this tragically,” said Karin Leonello, a nurse who worked with Lisa in the emergency department.
Lisa worked at the hospital since 1996, first as a licensed practical nurse and later as a registered nurse. She worked in the emergency department since 2003.
Emergency department workers received a call Friday night stating there was a trauma victim on the way to the hospital. Based on witnesses at the scene, the victim was identified as Lisa, said Kathy Estabrook, one of the nurses working last night.
“We were very shocked to find out that this happened,” she said. “It's unusual that a patient that comes to you under these circumstances is someone that you know and work with.”
When the ambulance arrived, the medical team did what they could but Estabrook suspects everybody knew the prognosis was very poor. During this time, she was in absolute shock and horror and felt a profound sadness, she said.
“What can you say? It's a very difficult thing to even imagine and to see. It's hard to describe,” Estabrook said.
All though she was devastated by the tragedy of seeing a co-worker die, Estabrook stayed at the hospital for the remainder of her shift.
“That's my job. There isn't anybody else there to do it,” she said. “That's what emergency room work is. You have to put your own feelings aside.”
Lisa was an outgoing individual who was always trying to better herself and she began working at the emergency department to further challenge herself, her co-workers said. She was also a tremendous advocate for underprivileged people.
As passionate as she was about her job, everything that Lisa did was done in the best interest of her family, especially her four children.
Hospital staff started coming together immediately after Lisa was pronounced dead Friday night. AMH offered - and is continuing to offer - support services for all employees to help begin the healing process for its staff as much as possible.
Chief Medical Officer James Blute said he received a call from chief nursing officer Kathy Kendrick Friday night.
Because of the possible danger of not knowing where Lisa's estranged husband, Jerry L. White Sr., was the hospital went into a partial lockdown. No services were curtailed but anyone who was coming into the hospital had to pass by a police officer.
Blute said the hospital will do whatever it can to assist grieving employees.
“It's an ongoing tragedy, it just doesn't end because it's over with. When one of your own family gets killed like this, it's always a horrendous thing,” he said.
Although Lisa's death left a big void for all those who knew her, her co-workers at the emergency department will remember her fondly.
“Lisa will be remembered as an affectionate mother, a dedicated emergency room nurse and a genuine and loyal friend,” they wrote in a flier being passed out at the hospital. “In grief for her death but gratitude for her life, we remember Lisa for her gift of love and dedication.”
How to help
Lisa's co-workers at Auburn Memorial Hospital set up a memorial fund for her four children. Those who wish to donate to the Lisa White Memorial Fund can write a check or money order to
AmeriCu Credit Union, 217 Grant Ave., Auburn, NY 13021
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
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