July 2026 Honoree
Geryn Van Zwienen, RN, BSN
My husband had hip replacement surgery at UCH Grandview. I admit, I was anxious about this surgery. He had three previous surgeries, all rather serious and major, and I really was not looking forward to a fourth for him. I should not have worried. He was otherwise in very good health, and the surgery appeared to have gone very well.
He was transferred to Grandview's second floor for recovery, an overnight stay, constant care, basic physical therapy, a visit from the care coordinator, as well as phone calls from outpatient services. But it was his primary nurse who gave both of us confidence that he would do very well once he was home.
She explained their role to both of us, watched him carefully, remained helpful and cheerful at all times, and allowed me to relax and go home for the night, knowing that he was in good hands. Geryn explained that they would check on him hourly from his arrival on the unit until his discharge. He did not ask for much, but once he did, the nurse was there. She explained their hours to us, kept the nurse who was to take over from them alerted us as to how he was doing, and remained available when they were in the unit for those long days.
Geryn was cheerful, helpful, competent, and knowledgeable regarding post-surgery care. Medications following surgery are no slight matter, but this nurse clearly explained which medications were to be taken when and why. We needed that clarity. Basic information like when to shower at home, how to care for the wound during showering, and her expertise putting on post-surgery compression thigh-high stockings deserve a medal in itself. This is not an easy task, and they accomplished it with ease!
Neither one of us could have asked for more information or competency from a nurse. It was obvious that she was experienced in her role and a post-operative orthopedic nurse. Once he was approved to be discharged from the hospital, Geryn went over discharge papers with us in a most competent and professional manner- from medication to wound care to how healing would look at home.
She was so patient and asked if we really understood the wealth of information they had to share. If we had questions, she had time to answer them.
This was by far the best hospital experience my husband had, and the prior three were quite good. I attribute that positivity, to a great measure, to his primary care nurse, Geryn. She deserves recognition and our heartfelt THANK YOU.
He was transferred to Grandview's second floor for recovery, an overnight stay, constant care, basic physical therapy, a visit from the care coordinator, as well as phone calls from outpatient services. But it was his primary nurse who gave both of us confidence that he would do very well once he was home.
She explained their role to both of us, watched him carefully, remained helpful and cheerful at all times, and allowed me to relax and go home for the night, knowing that he was in good hands. Geryn explained that they would check on him hourly from his arrival on the unit until his discharge. He did not ask for much, but once he did, the nurse was there. She explained their hours to us, kept the nurse who was to take over from them alerted us as to how he was doing, and remained available when they were in the unit for those long days.
Geryn was cheerful, helpful, competent, and knowledgeable regarding post-surgery care. Medications following surgery are no slight matter, but this nurse clearly explained which medications were to be taken when and why. We needed that clarity. Basic information like when to shower at home, how to care for the wound during showering, and her expertise putting on post-surgery compression thigh-high stockings deserve a medal in itself. This is not an easy task, and they accomplished it with ease!
Neither one of us could have asked for more information or competency from a nurse. It was obvious that she was experienced in her role and a post-operative orthopedic nurse. Once he was approved to be discharged from the hospital, Geryn went over discharge papers with us in a most competent and professional manner- from medication to wound care to how healing would look at home.
She was so patient and asked if we really understood the wealth of information they had to share. If we had questions, she had time to answer them.
This was by far the best hospital experience my husband had, and the prior three were quite good. I attribute that positivity, to a great measure, to his primary care nurse, Geryn. She deserves recognition and our heartfelt THANK YOU.
Thank you, Geryn, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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