Longtime nurse duo forms cohesive team

Bert and Ernie, peanut butter and jelly, yin and yang. Some things just go together. But they can't compare to the tight relationship of the cardiac Operating Room nursing team of Tricia Maxwell, RN, and Lyn Culbertson, RN.

The duo has been teamed together in the cardiac OR for 15 years and they have known each other for more than 20. Truly close friends, they often complete each others' sentences. And, like any couple that has been together for a long time, they have disagreements, but they also quickly make up with each other. "We snip at each other and walk away," said Culbertson.

Complete trust

But in the OR, in a life-or-death situation, they don't even need to speak to understand what needs to be done.

"We don't talk in situations like that," Culbertson said. "That's what we appreciate about each other. I know everything that can be done in an emergency situation Tricia can do."

‘No place like Children's'

Culbertson and Maxwell also are united in their praise for Children's.

"There's no other place in this country that could put kids through the complex cardiothoracic surgeries performed at Children's," said Culbertson, who has worked at hospitals all around the country. "There is a huge difference in the level of care and commitment and quality of personnel at Children's. I'd bring my new grandchild here."

The duo constantly refers patients to Children's based on the cohesiveness of the cardiac surgery team, including the teams' high level of education and the quality of care the team provides.

"The cardiac OR team is such a rewarding service," said Maxwell. "As a service, we do so much good."

And that, in a nutshell, could also describe the careers of Culbertson and Maxwell.

Tags: Children's Medical Center , operating room , cardiac nurses , cardiac operating room , duo