‘Heroes in HealthCare’ 2013 Awards Nurse Recipient – Reza Beheshti

FRESNO – Reza Beheshti was a nursing student at Fresno State, during which time he worked in different departments at different hospitals.  He found himself drawn to the emergency department the most, because of its fast-paced and hands-on work.

Upon graduating from Fresno State in 2009, he began working in the Emergency Department at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, which is the largest emergency department in the state of California.  The department, which has 80-100 on staff at any given time, sees patients of all different ages and illnesses in various situations.  As a critical care nurse, Beheshti first calms the patients who come in and provides them with an experience that is as comfortable as possible before seeing a doctor.

Beheshti’s care for his patients sometimes extends beyond his responsibilities.  In one instance, a patient who desperately needed surgery so that he wouldn’t become paralyzed decided not to have the operation because he wouldn’t be able to pay his bills and provide his family with food and a place to live.   After a discussion with the patient, Beheshti offered to pay the man’s rent, bills, and food his family would need during the time he would need away from work.  Beheshti says cases like that are everyday occurrences in the Emergency Department at Community Regional Medical Center.

Beheshti lives in Fresno and enjoys nature, visiting the beach and hiking in the mountains.

The “Heroes in HealthCare” awards reception is coming to the Skyroom Lounge in the Holiday Inn Fresno Downtown on Thursday, May 30.  Awards will be presented in the following categories:  Physician, Nurse, Healthcare Professional, Volunteer, Emergency Response, Innovation, and Dentist.  A special Lifetime Achievement Award will also be given.  Tickets are $55, and can be purchased at http://heroesinhealthcare.com/heroesinhealthcare.com/Tickets.html.