Steve Bronson

Florence Nightingale once advised, “So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.”  Steve Bronson recently illustrated this advice while caring for a heart-transplant patient with multiple complications.  Without Steve’s contributions, the patient’s outcome could have been quite grim.  One-by-one and sometimes simultaneously, Steve tackled the multiple issues.  His ability to bond with the patient helped alleviate the patient’s depression and encouraged him to persevere in the face of so many complications.  The patient repeatedly expressed his confidence in Steve and this level of trust allowed Steve to challenge the patient both physically and mentally. With Steve’s motivation and pushing, the patient was able to endure sufficient PT/OT to qualify for Inpatient Rehabilitative Medicine, a feat many thought impossible.  The patient’s wife commented on the fact that her husband’s personality and sense of humor returned, helped along by Steve’s realistic optimism and sincere interest in his recovery.  Steve coordinated multidisciplinary services including nutrition and speech therapy, to steadily build the patient’s strength.  His diligent pulmonary management helped prevent further complications.  In the end, it was the combined effect of meeting every seemingly small challenge that led the way to the patient’s promising outcome.  The way in which Steve “plants” such mustard seeds in his patients is profound.  I feel privileged to work alongside Steve Bronson and admire his contributions to both his patients’ recovery and the nursing profession.