danielle gallo, RN

During my recent stay, my roommate had dementia and expressed anxiety, was thoroughly combative with staff, often screeching, yelling and using violent verbiage. Though all staff addressed this issue, to the degree they could, one staff member stood out above all the others. That staff member is Danielle. My words are inadequate to clearly describe what I saw transpire. She was always kind to the patient. Danielle was soft-spoken with so much genuine concern she turned the situation around. I witnessed this patient actually begin addressing her more quietly, more respectfully, even kindly. It was amazing to see! When I mentioned this to Danielle, her response was simple, "I always think this could be any of us, one day." She is a shining example of nursing at its best: providing patient quality care with human kindness that does waver in the face of extreme difficulty.