BJ delivers highly skilled, child and family centered care with professionalism and compassion. He understands the unique issues of caring for pediatric patients and their families. While he is in a management role, BJ has often been called in to access my son’s port, draw blood, etc., because his skill is unparalleled. Just ask my son, and he will tell you that, while he LOVES all of his nurses, BJ is the best! In fact, when asked why BJ is excellent, he said, "Because he is my BFF (best friend forever) and because he rocks!


My son is (7 yrs. old) had to dress up like his hero for school on Halloween. He also had to write a paragraph about his hero. His hero is BJ. The paragraph is what my son wrote.

“BJ is MY HERO because:
He takes good care of me. He is the best at accessing my port. BJ makes me feel special.
He plays video games with me and makes it fun to be at the hospital. BJ is very smart and
teaches me lots of stuff too. If I have questions, he explains what is going on and even shows me cool medical things. BJ is nice, cool and funny. BJ teaches people that tough guys can take good care of kids and be GREAT NURSES!”

Clearly, BJ has made a special connection with my son. He looks forward to his hospital days because he can't wait to hang with his friends, especially BJ. BJ often finds a little time in his day to play a video game with him or have some "guy talk." To my son, 7A is home, and, it's his nurses, like BJ, who make it so! His nurses are a wonderful blessing as his life would be so different if he didn't love being with them. My son is a happy, well-adjusted 7 year old, due in part to the role his nurses play in his life.

My son often has questions about his mitochondrial disease, other conditions or current symptoms. BJ takes the time to answer his questions thoroughly. For example, he recently asked BJ about the difference between a CAT scan and an MRI. BJ, pulled up images of a CAT scan and an MRI on the computer, showed him the difference in the details that could be seen on each, and explained why one might be ordered over the other. My son was fascinated! BJ has also been quite patient with me as I have wanted, perhaps, more in-depth information than some moms, and I’ve asked a ton of questions.

When BJ accesses his port, he asks him how he wants things done. He takes my son’s lead on whether they will be chatting, watching, or if he would like a pillow over his face and hear a mommy-story during access. His extra effort makes my son feel more in control of his, often out of control, life living with mitochondrial disease. BJ's skill, as well as his patience and compassion when he is working with my son are very comforting to me! I have no doubt that he is in wonderful hands.

BJ has helped me organize my thoughts about my son’s conditions so that I could effectively relay the information to other professionals working with him. He is wonderful about reminding me of things to add, helping me phrase information in ways that will be more meaningful to health care professionals, and assisting me in determining the most crucial medical information to highlight in a given situation. BJ has also talked through options of my son’s care with me to help me feel more informed and competent in making decisions about his ongoing care. Finally, BJ has been integral in helping me assure that my son’s comprehensive and complex healthcare needs are met.