Meet Christopher Dayton Nielsen, 35
April 27, 1986 - September 10, 2021
Chris worked his way through school as a meat cutter. From the University of Central Arkansas, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. Magna Cum Laude honors for both. Chris had a passion to promote mental health. He devoted his professional life to giving his clients quality help. He soon became a licensed counselor and provided counseling and therapy services.
In his free time, Chris was an avid salsa dancer who also practiced Acroyoga. He loved movies, comic books and collected comic book statues. He operated the YouTube channel, “Collectors Therapy1.”
To his friends he was kind and generous. Along with many others in the healthcare community, Chris’s participation in this research helped to produce the CHIC Scale. Shortly after his contribution to the study, Chris died in the hospital of a septic infection after a routine surgical procedure. This instrument is dedicated in honor of that life and others like him.
Why Better Interprofessional Collaboration Matters
Sepsis is a preventable condition and a known potential complication of surgery. The CDC estimates that a third of US hospital deaths are caused by sepsis. Chris was a real person, in the prime years of his life. He wanted to spend his life helping people. Improving the way healthcare is practiced must be a top priority. Better interprofessional collaboration may have saved Chris’s life.
- September 3, 2021: Chris Nielsen is out of surgery and is is doing very well. Groggy and coming out of anesthesia currently. -Amanda
- September 3, 2021: Had surgery earlier today to fix a hernia that’s given me quite a bit of reflux issues the past several months. Still a little groggy, but the surgery seems to have been a success! Major thanks to the wonderful Amanda P. for visiting me earlier. ❤️ - Chris (Photo Attached)
- September 5, 2021: So update on Chris Nielsen….he ended up in the ICU last night and had to be intubated. He is currently going back to surgery to fix a possible leak and is in critical condition. -Amanda
- September 5, 2021: So Chris Nielsen, has taken a bad turn. His bowel got perforated they think and it caused a leak and him to become septic. He is in very critical condition right now and we have to just wait to see if the infection clears up. Any prayers or whatever you do would be greatly appreciated. -Amanda
- September 8, 2021: Chris Nielsen update. It was starting to look good. Last night they did a scan on his brain. It is swelling, they have taken him off sedation and that can take 48 hours to come completely off of. A neurologist is coming today to look him over. As of now he has not been responsive. The doctor said with the brain swelling it is not looking good at all. Please keep him in your prayers and thoughts. -Amanda
- September 9, 2021: Hey everyone, as of this morning there hasn’t been any progress even with them taking Chris Nielsen off of sedation. The neurologist is coming this evening to do another evaluation and we should have a better picture we hope after. Thank you to everyone who is sending prayers, healing, and positive energy to Chris. That is what Chris most needs right now. -Amanda
- September 9, 2021: Chris Nielsen’s brain dead and no longer breathing on his own. He is not gonna make it. At this time I don’t have much else to say. Co workers, salsa friends, fellow collectors, I will be contacting you soon and let everyone know about funeral arrangements. -Amanda
Footnote: 1 Collector's Therapy & Collector Video Tribute