Dave Tagorda, BSN, RN

I am a 42-year-old mother of four who recently underwent a hysterectomy, including the removal of my ovaries, due to a number of medical factors. The surgery went well, but about a week later, I needed to return to Banner because of concerns about a post-surgical infection.

I arrived in the middle of the night, and Nurse Dave was my nurse the following day, from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. From the very beginning, he went out of his way to make me feel comfortable. I was experiencing a great deal of anxiety regarding the infection, and I was also dealing with intense menopausal symptoms that were completely unfamiliar to me.

Dave took the time to talk me through every procedure and medication, making me feel like an active, collaborative member of my care team rather than a bystander in my own treatment. I also witnessed him being a wonderful and patient teacher to the student nurse who was paired with him. He engaged my husband and me in conversation while providing care, helping us feel seen, comfortable, and less worried.

He went above and beyond to provide comfort measures when I was feeling my worst. He made sure I had a fan to help manage the hot flashes and provided ice chips to keep my mouth moist and cool when my fluid intake was restricted to avoid diluting my antibiotics.

However, what truly stood out was how he cared for me during a panic attack. I was taken for an MRI, and after a long night without sleep, around-the-clock medications, and being NPO for much of the day, I experienced a panic attack following the imaging study.

During the MRI, I became so overheated that I soaked through my gown and sheets, and my hair was drenched with sweat. I developed a severe headache and felt completely out of control of my body. Because of my underlying autoimmune conditions, I began shaking, my face swelled, my gums and nose started bleeding, and I became overwhelmed and lost my composure.

When I returned to my room and Dave saw everything I had been through, he immediately stepped in to help, despite being at the end of his shift. He compassionately sat with my husband and me, helped me feel grounded, and explained the medical reasons why the bleeding may have started. Most importantly, he reassured me that it was treatable. He repeatedly reminded me that he was there for me and that he would take care of me.

He then got me clean clothes and fresh sheets, obtained medication for my headache, and stayed with me until I was feeling better, and he felt comfortable transferring my care to the night nurse. He made sure the incoming nurse understood my needs and reassured me that he would be back the next day. He even took the time to make sure my husband felt calm and supported before leaving.

It made an enormous impact to have someone go so far out of his way to care not only for my medical needs but also for my comfort and emotional well-being. Nurses like Dave deserve recognition and serve as phenomenal examples of what truly compassionate nursing care looks like. Their impact goes far beyond administering medications and treatments—it speaks directly to the hearts of the patients and families they care for.

Thank you, Dave, for all that you do every day.