My husband is hospitalized at the University of Virginia (UVA) Medical Center. UVA has many wonderful nurses. However, Jay is extraordinary. He possesses a unique combination of medical skills, deep compassion and empathy, and a strong work ethic. As you will see, I recommend Jay with tremendous enthusiasm.

My husband has been in the hospital since May 2022. He was transferred to UVA in June 2022 via helicopter as he wrestled for his life. As you can imagine, my family has faced many challenging moments over the last eight months--moments that have tried our resolve, hope, and faith. One day, my husband and I were watching our hometown church service online. Jay entered the room, and after we discussed my husband's medical conditions, we began to talk about my online church service. Jay followed up with several questions, and in a most sensitive way, he then asked if he could sing a hymn. We eagerly agreed. What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Jay's rich baritone voice and hymn selections were so comforting and reflected very high emotional intelligence. But Jay was not merely a talented singer; he also spoke very encouraging words to my husband between each hymn. Our hearts were full. However, what was most striking about this moment was that my husband who sometimes struggles to speak began to sing hymns along with Jay. Jay's patient-centered approach that day truly felt like a prayer answered. 

Nurses regularly rotate units at UVA, and so when Jay rotated off my husband's case we thought we might never see Jay again. Fortunately, we were wrong. Yesterday, Jay returned as my husband's nurse. We were excited to see Jay and quickly reconnected. What followed was nothing short of awe-inspiring. My husband has been bedbound since he was helicoptered to UVA in June. He cannot walk, has not been outdoors since his arrival, and can feel down due to his long hospital stay. Jay sought to change that. He conferred with other medical staff, and he and another nurse used a lift, placed my husband in a wheelchair, and rolled him outside to breathe natural air and feel natural sunlight. Others have tried to move my husband over the last few months. The results have been mixed at best.

Jay moved quickly and decisively but was very careful with my husband given his frail condition. Allowing my husband the ability to enjoy several minutes of natural air and sunlight lifted my husband's spirits in a way I have not seen in months. When my husband returned to his room, he was overjoyed and simply stunned that he had been able to go outdoors. Other changes were immediate. My husband had been unwilling to drink liquids, but after returning from outside, he asked for a drink. My husband had not held a cup by himself in weeks. When he returned from outdoors with Jay, my husband began to hold a cup. These acts may seem simple, but they mean the world to my family. Over the last two days, my husband has become a new, more confident, and stronger man. 

My entire family feels incredibly indebted to Jay. He is a UVA treasure and truly one of one.