David Tuttle has worked for several years on the Copestone Adolescent Unit, he works days in the weekender program. I have observed his nursing practice for the past 10 years as a Nursing Unit Supervisor and now I work weekender nights on the Adolescent Unit and I have followed his shift the past two years.

On Sunday, I came in to work and David was in the middle of a patient psychiatric code where a teen/patient was beginning to become a danger to others and himself. The code team was standing by while David was attempting to de-escalate the patient to avoid using a restrictive intervention. The time was tense. I observed David skillfully, thoughtfully, patiently, compassionately, and safely talk to the patient and de-escalate him into cooperation and all the while David had provided a safe environment for the other patients and staff. David used his aggression management skills with the patient to successfully protect not only the patient's rights but did it with such professional demeanor that the patient was safe and cooperative on my shift. I have seen David do this time and time again and now it is time to honor him.