A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND COngratulate COLT SHOPE, A NURSE MANAGER AT PRISMA HEALTH BAPTIST EASLEY HOSPITAL, FOR INTRODUCING BAPTIST EASLEY'S NEW TRADITION TO HONOR AMERICAN VETERANS IN END-OF-LIFE CARE.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Colt Shope, a nurse manager at Prisma Health Baptist Easley Hospital, has instituted a new tradition at Baptist Easley to honor veterans receiving end-of-life care; and

 

Whereas, Colt conceived the idea when a previous veteran patient was in Baptist Easley receiving end-of-life care. The nurse manager found himself wishing the hospital could do something special in that veteran's final moments, and the thought came to him that the staff could present the patient and his family with an American flag. The spark for this specific idea was ignited by a comment from a nurse in the progressive care unit, who had told Colt she wanted to honor, somehow, those patients who had served; and

 

Whereas, as a result, since February 2025 staff members at Baptist Easley have draped an American flag over the beds of ten veterans who were receiving end-of-life care. This simple gesture makes a powerful statement that blesses veterans, their families, and staff members alike; and

 

Whereas, the hospital's first honoree was a Vietnam War veteran whose wife had told staff members she felt her husband didn't get the recognition he deserved when he came back from the war. But when Baptist Easley staffers came in with an American flag and draped it over her husband's hospital bed, tears streamed down many faces; and

 

Whereas, Baptist Easley's new tradition is one no other Prisma Health hospital has launched before. However, Colt Shope is delighted to hear that Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital plans to inaugurate it later this year and hopes other Prisma Health facilities will want to start in the future, as well; and

 

Whereas, grateful for this new way of honoring our veterans, the House takes great pleasure in saluting Colt Shope of Prisma Health Baptist Easley Hospital for leading the way in introducing it. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate Colt Shope, a nurse manager at Prisma Health Baptist Easley Hospital, for introducing Baptist Easley's new tradition to honor American veterans in end-of-life care.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Colt Shope.

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