This has been the hardest time in our family’s life. The neurology team has worked so hard trying to figure out what is causing my dad to be unable to walk and talk. Many people have asked what we need, and it wasn’t until we met David that what we needed was supplied!

During one of four stays at Duke, David cared for my daddy. He was transparent and knowledgeable. But more than that, David took the time to involve the family. One day, he was teaching me how to catheter my dad. When he put the tube in, my dad winced. I hate seeing him in pain. David said, “This is the time I say breathe!” I said he didn’t tell him that, and he said, “No, you!” Medically, he “had” my daddy, but emotionally, he met me where I was.

As I started asking questions I thought were dumb, he never made me feel dumb. He talked with me and built up confidence in me that I didn’t know I could have. Several times, I noticed he would linger with Daddy talking (knowing Daddy wouldn’t talk back), but it made him feel “normal.” These and so many more small gestures really supplied our family with the confidence to know Daddy was well taken care of!

When I told David I was going to nominate him, the first words out of his mouth were, “I hope you remember the CNA!” (a CNA we loved)! Can you believe that? What a quality leader! Duke should be proud to have him on staff! We have asked for him to be Daddy’s nurse, but he is in “high demand” with other patients as well!