Craig is always right there. I just there by the office and he listens. I call him the hero and he don’t even know it.

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I just want to thank you for saving my life. When I climbed the roof and wanted to jump off or run away for good...a true life saver.

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Craig was one of the first that I had met on the unit and he immediately made me feel welcome. It is clear that he has been at it for a while, as he carries himself with confidence. He also had the distinction of being the first Pine Rest RN I had observed to “defuse” an angry and potentially dangerous patient.

This patient was yelling, slamming doors, and throwing things. Craig effectively calmed him down using words, asking relevant questions and seemingly allowing the patient’s voice to be heard. The patient was still agitated and pacing and Craig stuck with him until such a time that it was deemed “safe.” We did not have to resort to any of the physical management, this one easily goes into the win column.

Craig clearly has good rapport with patients and staff alike, and is a solid example.

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Often arriving early before his shift starts to check in with how the night went, Craig’s strengths come in the form of keeping morale high in the nursing station with his dry humor and encouraging sentiments, building rapport with patients and translating that in helpful feedback to oncoming shifts, and helping lessen burnout in other staff by being a strong charge nurse during shifts as well as picking up shifts for others or on days with staffing holes.

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Craig demonstrates a meaningful impact to our patients on the Oak unit. He has years of experience working in mental health; even before becoming a nurse or working at Pine Rest. He is able to verbally deescalate the most difficult patients using his communication skills and is able to connect with patients regardless of diagnosis or their background. He advocates for his staff everyday he is at work and always looks at the least restrictive intervention to deescalate patients. He is has been involved in several crisis situations and always remains calm and cool-headed, and keeps not only the patients safe but staff as well. He is also a great co-worker to work with as he helps fellow peers without them needing to ask. He is an amazing nurse and a joy to be around.