Dale Gearhart
April 2024
Dale
Gearhart
,
RN
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
Plattsburgh
,
NY
United States
Dale listened to my concerns and thoughts about what may or may not be helpful to me, asked if he could be my post-op nurse, and followed through with our plan. This was the first time anyone had ever cared or listened to me as much as Dale did.
J is no stranger to surgery. And she knows all too well the unpleasant symptoms she struggles with after every procedure, including vomiting. But thanks to her nurse, Dale Gearhart, J experienced a first: symptom-free time in the recovery room. That's why Gearhart is The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s (CVPH) newest recipient of the DAISY Award!
Gearhart was nominated by J, who normally cares for patients in our Cardiac Vascular Care Center. In this case, she was on the other side, receiving care as a patient in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, or PACU. The PACU is where a patient goes following a procedure that requires anesthesia to recover and wake up. Vital signs are closely watched, pain management begins and fluids are given there. In her nomination, she shares how worried she gets before surgery.
"The thought of having a surgical procedure with general anesthesia always makes me anxious, because I usually have a rough time post-op," J writes.
This time was different.
"Dale listened to my concerns and thoughts about what may or may not be helpful to me, asked if he could be my post-op nurse, and followed through with our plan. This was the first time anyone had ever cared or listened to me as much as Dale did. And this was the first time, out of many surgeries, that I did not vomit!"
Gearhart, who has been with the hospital for six years, is also known for speaking up for his patients.
“He most recently advocated for a patient who needed dialysis and reached out to our Director of IV Therapy to facilitate getting this patient what they needed,” the Director of Perioperative Services explains. “He is all about working together and taking the team approach to get the job done.”
The director also appreciates Gearhart’s ability to brighten the day of everyone around him, from patients to colleagues and physicians.
“Dale loves to laugh and has an impeccable sense of humor! He has a big heart and always has the best of intentions while going above and beyond to provide the best care and outcomes for his patients,” she adds.
For J, her experience with Gearhart has opened her eyes to what is suddenly possible: a positive experience after surgery. That puts her a little more at ease for the next time she might need a procedure.
“I want to thank Dale for how he cares for and listens to his patients,” she says. “It truly makes a difference.”
Gearhart was nominated by J, who normally cares for patients in our Cardiac Vascular Care Center. In this case, she was on the other side, receiving care as a patient in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, or PACU. The PACU is where a patient goes following a procedure that requires anesthesia to recover and wake up. Vital signs are closely watched, pain management begins and fluids are given there. In her nomination, she shares how worried she gets before surgery.
"The thought of having a surgical procedure with general anesthesia always makes me anxious, because I usually have a rough time post-op," J writes.
This time was different.
"Dale listened to my concerns and thoughts about what may or may not be helpful to me, asked if he could be my post-op nurse, and followed through with our plan. This was the first time anyone had ever cared or listened to me as much as Dale did. And this was the first time, out of many surgeries, that I did not vomit!"
Gearhart, who has been with the hospital for six years, is also known for speaking up for his patients.
“He most recently advocated for a patient who needed dialysis and reached out to our Director of IV Therapy to facilitate getting this patient what they needed,” the Director of Perioperative Services explains. “He is all about working together and taking the team approach to get the job done.”
The director also appreciates Gearhart’s ability to brighten the day of everyone around him, from patients to colleagues and physicians.
“Dale loves to laugh and has an impeccable sense of humor! He has a big heart and always has the best of intentions while going above and beyond to provide the best care and outcomes for his patients,” she adds.
For J, her experience with Gearhart has opened her eyes to what is suddenly possible: a positive experience after surgery. That puts her a little more at ease for the next time she might need a procedure.
“I want to thank Dale for how he cares for and listens to his patients,” she says. “It truly makes a difference.”