Jenna Hadley Johnsen — "I Trust You": A Nurse, a Daughter, and a Father Lost to Medical Isolation #19

Jenna Hadley Johnsen is interviewed by Steve Reiter.  Welcome to "Every Patient's Right (TNAP)." In this episode, host Steve Reiter is joined by Jenna Hadley Johnsen, a seasoned nurse and devoted daughter, who shares her family's harrowing journey during the pandemic. When both parents were hospitalized, Jenna Hadley Johnsen was forced to advocate from afar, fighting protocols that shut her out as her father's condition worsened and her mother struggled to recover. Through Jenna Hadley Johnsen's perspective, you'll hear how restricted access, staff shortages, and rigid hospital policies cost precious opportunities for life-saving advocacy—and why presence at the bedside is a basic patient right. This is a story of loss, resilience, and the call for real change, ensuring that no patient ever has to face critical illness alone. Outline: (00:01) Caring for family during illness (09:11) Managing a family health crisis (11:08) Feeling powerless during a transfer (19:45) Importance of human connection in care (22:15) Mom's ICU care and treatment (30:16) A father's final moments (40:46) Struggles with ventilator treatment (43:40) Denied treatment and vaccine stigma (48:11) Caring for mom after rehab (01:05:02) Dad's ventilator issues (01:11:02) Dad rescues woman after accident (01:19:42) Losing my dad unexpectedly (01:23:14) Medical care and untreated sepsis (01:32:21) Remembering Jim Hadley   About the Guest: Jenna Hadley Johnson is a dedicated mother and nurse whose personal experience with the delta wave of COVID-19 in September 2021 shaped her perspective on the pandemic. When her daughter brought the virus home from school, Jenna's instinct to closely care for her sick children led her to sleep beside them at night, monitoring their health. As a result, Jenna contracted COVID-19 herself, enduring a particularly brutal case that challenged the notion that it was "just another flu." Her husband and father-in-law remained healthy despite close contact, highlighting how differently the virus impacted individuals. Jenna's story reflects her unwavering commitment to her family and her profession, as well as her unique insights into the varied toll of COVID-19.   About The Host:  Steve Reiter is the founder of the Never Alone Project and the host of its podcast, "Every Patient's Right, Ending Isolation and Healthcare." He lost his wife to forced isolation on May 19, 2020, and believes no one should die alone. The show delves into the significant issue of forced medical isolation that began in March 2020, examining its profound effects on patients and exploring ways to balance essential medical care with the nurturing human contact that aids healing and recovery. Steve's dedication to this cause highlights his commitment to advocating humane treatment in healthcare settings. Share your story, learn more, listen, and subscribe at:  neveraloneproject.org