Genevieve Antoine

It is possible that Genevieve Antoine, BSN, RN, understands a patient’s perspective more than most clinicians. The 34-year-old nurse has a long history with sickle cell anemia and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) — conditions that run in her family.

“With sickle cell, I look ok, but I’m not ok,” says Genevieve.

In the summer of 2023, Genevieve was admitted to Lakeview Hospital due to her illness.

“The thing about the doctors, nurses and other staff at Lakeview,” Genevieve says, “is that they believe me. They don’t doubt my health history or my symptoms. They don’t make me feel guilty or rushed to get better.”

Genevieve’s family feels similarly.

“My family loves Lakeview. They said, ‘This is the best care we’ve ever had,’” she explained.

Genevieve comes from a family of physicians and medical professionals. Although she was unable to attend medical school because of her health, Genevieve was determined to follow in her family’s footsteps by pursuing a profession in healthcare. She worked as a phlebotomist, a lab technician for pharmaceutical research, and a clinical assistant at a gynecologic clinic. But, when Genevieve became severely sick, she realized the significant difference a nurse can provide for a patient. So, she decided to attend nursing school.

“Even if it was just for one moment, I wanted to take someone's suffering away, let them know that they matter, and make even a small difference while I am still here,” she said.

Genevieve was discharged from an ICU and enrolled in nursing school right away.

While employed at a different hospital, family members encouraged Genevieve to apply for a nursing position at Lakeview Hospital – the hospital they all connected with when she was a patient. Their encouragement, she says, was nonstop.

“My mother-in-law even said that if I didn’t do it, she would walk the application in herself,” she said.

With the enthusiastic endorsement of her entire family, she applied to the Bountiful hospital.

“I still thought, ‘Why would they want me?’ Well, I think my understanding of what it’s like to be a patient made them want to hire me,” Genevieve said.

In July 2024, Genevieve happily joined the Med-Surg team at Lakeview Hospital. Then, in August, she was diagnosed with three brain aneurysms.

“Even though my mom had PKD, I didn’t know that it increases your risk for aneurysms,” Genevieve said. “In early September, I had to miss some work after experiencing a sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). I thought, ‘This is it; I’m going to be fired because I’m not only going to miss work, but I’m also missing orientation because of brain surgery.’ Instead, I received texts from my new colleagues sending their prayers and best wishes!”

Genevieve underwent brain surgery on September 20, 2024. During the time she was out, she was again surprised by the compassion of her new Lakeview family.

“My colleagues worked to pick up my shifts,” she says. “Even if they had already worked five days in a row. The entire time I was in the hospital I was getting encouraging texts. They were praying for me; they wanted to know what they could do for me; they were sending gift baskets and treats. I was still the new kid, but everyone was so kind.”

And the care for Genevieve didn’t stop there.

“When I returned to work on November 4, you would have thought I was the president! My colleagues ran up and hugged me,” Genevieve explained. “They were so complimentary about the headbands I was wearing to cover my scar. It was like a family. Their actions enabled me to get right back into the flow. Even my manager came in on her day off because she said she just wanted to see my face. I’ve worked in lots of places … nobody ever cares like this.”

At one point, Genevieve asked her manager if she should quit because she was missing so much work.

“She said, ‘No, you’re where you’re meant to be,’” Genevieve says. “Lakeview helps me out a lot. They work with my limitations. I don’t know how long I’ll live, but if Lakeview is my last job, I’ll be happy.”

Genevieve says there are no words that can fully express her gratitude.

“I want to say, ‘thank you’ — not just to my co-workers, but to all the doctors, nurses and others who help treat me,” said Genevieve, getting emotional. “I was new; they didn’t know me. Thank you for not only treating me well, but also treating my family well.”

Genevieve still remembers something a Lakeview physician told her when she was hospitalized. It’s stuck with her.

“A doctor said to me, ‘Don’t worry, you’re family. We’re going to take care of you.’ When I’m not feeling well, I remember that and pass it on to my patients,” Genevieve said. “I’m so grateful to my Lakeview family. They care. They go above and beyond. When I lost hope, they gave it back to me.”