No Tricks, Just Treats: HaysMed CNA turns class project into comfort for patients

Deb Shinn, RN, nurse manager of Medical Oncology, Breast Care, Special Nursing Services, and Vascular AccessWoman, right, and Addy Couchman, CNA, FHSU student, left, with chemo comfort kit items. Couchman assembled the kits as part of a Leadership 310 class. Photo courtesy of HaysMed

HaysMed

For HaysMed CNA and full-time Fort Hays State University student Addy Couchman, a class project became an opportunity to bring a little extra comfort and encouragement to patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Addy, who is originally from Wamego, is enrolled in FHSU’s Leadership 310 class, where she was tasked with creating a service-learning project that benefits the community.

She said knew she wanted to choose something meaningful and close to her heart, leading her to create “Chemo Comfort Kits” for patients at the HaysMed Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute.

On Thursday, Addy displayed her baskets filled with goodies and thoughtful comfort items that chemotherapy patients can take free of charge.

The project was created with patients themselves in mind. Addy asked patients what types of items they would like to see in the baskets and gathered donations from community members and HaysMed Oncology staff to help bring the idea to life.

Addy Couchman, CNA, FHSU student, stands next to a table of comfort items she assembled for chemo patients at HaysMed. Addy is pursuing a degree to become a radiologic technologist, with hopes of eventually continuing on to physician's assistant school. Photo courtesy of HaysMed — Addy Couchman, CNA, FHSU student, stands next to a table of comfort items she assembled for chemo patients at HaysMed. Addy is pursuing a degree to become a radiologic technologist, with hopes of eventually continuing on to physician's assistant school. Photo courtesy of HaysMed

In a note displayed alongside the baskets, Addy shared the meaning behind her project, explaining that she wants HaysMed patients to feel supported, loved and cared for during their chemotherapy treatments.

She said she hopes the baskets remind patients that they are never alone and the HaysMed team is standing beside them and cheering them on throughout their journey.

“I hope these chemo baskets are able to bring you some joy on a very difficult journey,” Addy wrote in her message to patients.

For Addy, caring for others is also shaping her future. Along with working as a CNA at HaysMed and attending FHSU full time, she is pursuing a degree to become a radiologic technologist, with hopes of eventually continuing on to physician assistant school with an interest in radiology.

“I really like the flexibility of radiology and the opportunity to continue to grow in the field,” Addy said.

A sign explaining why Addy Couchman, CNA and HaysMed student, created the Chemo Comfort Kits. Photo courtesy of HaysMed — A sign explaining why Addy Couchman, CNA and HaysMed student, created the Chemo Comfort Kits. Photo courtesy of HaysMed

What began as a college leadership assignment has become something much more meaningful: a reminder that even small gestures can help patients feel cared for during some of their hardest days.

"At HaysMed, we are proud of Addy for putting compassion into action and finding a meaningful way to support patients right here in our community," HaysMed said in a news release.