June 2026 Honoree
CJ (Catherine-Joy) Tan, Registered Nurse
I suddenly went deaf in my right ear last year. This was something I never expected, and did not even know was possible for someone of my age and health. Before this, I was a nursing student with just one year left until I graduated. I was also working in a small nursing home. Because of my hearing loss and the struggles that came with it, I had to put both things on hold for my health. Healthcare had become a passion of mine, and now it was something I had to rely on as a patient instead.
When it came time to decide if I would get a cochlear implant, I was scared that it would make a profession in nursing too hard or even impossible. But, thanks to my doctors and specialists at Mass Eye and Ear, I quickly learned this was not true.
CJ took care of me post-surgery. She was young and energetic, despite it being 7 pm. She matched my energy. When I woke up from surgery, the first thing I remember seeing was her bright smile which told me I was okay. She offered me a blanket and a popsicle almost immediately and brought my family in as soon as it was allowed.
I do not remember feeling pain, anxiety, or stress in post-op, and I fully believe it was because of CJ. She was kind and charismatic and, all I know is, I did not stop laughing with her (to the point of actual tears) the whole time she went through my discharge paperwork. We were two peas in a pod, and I truly felt like more of a friend than a patient, in the most professional way.
CJ kept me distracted without me even noticing. I was not at all worried about what my incision looked like, or how much hair they shaved from my head (although I was before surgery). I was simply happy and enjoying my time and conversation with her. Not only did she have me laughing so hard, but she also included my family in the fun, and they loved her just as much as I did.
When it came time for me to leave, she personally pushed me in my wheelchair all the way to my car and helped me in as we said our goodbyes.
I feel so lucky I got to experience her nursing care, and any patient would be lucky to have her. She made me want to become a nurse even more so I can care for a patient as well as she did me. I feel confident that she would treat any other patient just as well.
CJ truly made my experience a happy memory!
When it came time to decide if I would get a cochlear implant, I was scared that it would make a profession in nursing too hard or even impossible. But, thanks to my doctors and specialists at Mass Eye and Ear, I quickly learned this was not true.
CJ took care of me post-surgery. She was young and energetic, despite it being 7 pm. She matched my energy. When I woke up from surgery, the first thing I remember seeing was her bright smile which told me I was okay. She offered me a blanket and a popsicle almost immediately and brought my family in as soon as it was allowed.
I do not remember feeling pain, anxiety, or stress in post-op, and I fully believe it was because of CJ. She was kind and charismatic and, all I know is, I did not stop laughing with her (to the point of actual tears) the whole time she went through my discharge paperwork. We were two peas in a pod, and I truly felt like more of a friend than a patient, in the most professional way.
CJ kept me distracted without me even noticing. I was not at all worried about what my incision looked like, or how much hair they shaved from my head (although I was before surgery). I was simply happy and enjoying my time and conversation with her. Not only did she have me laughing so hard, but she also included my family in the fun, and they loved her just as much as I did.
When it came time for me to leave, she personally pushed me in my wheelchair all the way to my car and helped me in as we said our goodbyes.
I feel so lucky I got to experience her nursing care, and any patient would be lucky to have her. She made me want to become a nurse even more so I can care for a patient as well as she did me. I feel confident that she would treat any other patient just as well.
CJ truly made my experience a happy memory!
Thank you, CJ (Catherine-Joy), for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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