Profile in Caring: Nurse Phong Lam Emphasizes Dedicated Care, Patient Support in Rehabilitation

Phong Lam is a dedicated nurse with more than a decade of experience offering steadfast support to patients and their families as they navigate the challenging journey of rehabilitation. With a focus on traumatic and acquired brain injuries as well as stroke, Lam’s unwavering commitment to patient care shines through his compassionate approach, making a lasting impact on patient recovery. Lam began his career as a nurse in 2012, specializing in pediatrics. Over the years, he has primarily worked in rehabilitation while also gaining experience in home health care, with a continued focus on pediatric patients.

His passion for rehabilitation nursing was ignited during his time at Shriners Hospital for Children in Houston. For the last eight years, Lam has dedicated himself to the demanding yet rewarding world of rehabilitation nursing.

His interest in joining TIRR Memorial Hermann stemmed from a recommendation by a friend, an occupational therapist, and was solidified when Deanna Bennett, a clinical manager at TIRR Memorial Hermann, reached out to him. Since 2021, Lam has been an integral part of the team at TIRR Memorial Hermann.

“He exudes the culture and values we hold at Memorial Hermann,” Bennett says. “He’s genuinely compassionate towards his patients, their families, as well as his co-workers.”

At TIRR Memorial Hermann, Lam cares for a diverse range of patients ranging in age from as young as 6 months to those in their 90s. In addition to patients with brain injuries and stroke, he also provides nursing care to adult and pediatric patients with motor vehicle accident injuries, disorders of consciousness and spinal cord injuries, tailoring his care to the needs of each individual.

Part of the comprehensive nursing care Lam provides to his patients includes administering medications and ensuring they receive adequate nutrition with their feedings, whether through an oral diet or a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. He is also responsible for performing clinical tasks such as blood drawing, managing IVs and carrying out thorough assessments while also providing nursing care as needed, including wound care, tracheostomy management and ventilator needs. In addition, Lam educates and trains patients and their families on how to manage their care following discharge.

“He is a key member of the transdisciplinary team that plays a big part in helping develop the plan of care for patients,” Bennett says. “He is a very hands-on, engaged employee who comes with a lot of pediatric experience. He truly gives 100% of himself.”

Lam’s approach to patient care extends beyond routine tasks. “While there is a daily routine to follow, every day brings new challenges and opportunities to connect with patients and their families on a personal level,” he says.

The breadth of his work at TIRR Memorial Hermann has allowed Lam to expand his skills beyond pediatrics. Initially, he found it challenging to care for adults, but he now recognizes that the real challenge lies in managing the combination of care that extends to the patient’s family. “One of the most difficult parts of caring for rehab patients is that you’re not just taking care of the patient, but you are also caring for their family and navigating different family dynamics,” Lam explains.

Despite these challenges, Lam finds deep fulfillment in witnessing the love and support families provide for their loved ones. “Seeing patients recover and watching how their families care for them as they work towards their goal is rewarding,” he says. “It’s also inspiring to see how these patients and their families get to know other patients and their families and build a community together, caring and supporting each other.”

Lam recounts the story of an inspiring patient who motivated him with her determination to recover after a stroke. “She approached her recovery with a positive mindset, making that stride each and every day and taking it one day at a time,” he recalls. “Her resilience and commitment to return to her regular life, despite the difficult road ahead, was truly motivational.”

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Lam remains deeply committed to serving others and actively participates in volunteer work with his church and other organizations.

“He’s just a really kind, compassionate, truly genuine person,” Bennett explains. “He loves what he does, and he puts his whole heart into it.”

As Lam reflects on his career and experiences, he highlights the essence of nursing and rehabilitation. “Health care and nursing can be challenging, but it is through these difficulties that we grow in character and compassion,” he notes. “The journey may be tough, but the results can be quite beautiful, as it changes us and helps us grow in love and understanding.”