As many of you know, Jack most recently celebrated this 30th anniversary at Jewish Hospital last September. I’ve known Jack for nearly 25 of those years. I started in the ICU as a new grad and Jack was one of the reasons I stayed in ICU. I’ll never forget, the night I got “pulled” to CVICU to be oriented with Jack taking care of my first heart transplant patient. I was nervous but excited at the same time because everyone knew when you had a preceptor like Jack, that he was going to teach you new things, but he was also going to make you think. Jack started asking me about the patient’s cardiac index and cardiac output and if I thought there was anything we should do, as the patient was starting to become unstable. Jack has always had a special way of relating to new nurses and getting them to critically think.

As I transitioned from the bedside to an educator position, while Jack was still working in CVICU, he and I had many discussions about if we “were in charge of education”, what we would do with orientation and education. We started doing “a day with Jack” which included anything and everything about hemodynamics. All the new and experienced nurses will never forget Jack’s “tank, plumbing, and pump” analogy around hemodynamics. I’ll also never forget the day he told me, that a nurse in one of his classes came up to him after class to tell him she wanted to be an educator just like him. It’s those types of moments that you know you truly made a difference and all the hard work paid off. I am so proud of him.

Jack, as you take this step towards retirement (as he is not completely gone after today, he is staying with us PRN), know that you made a difference with me and all the other nurses that you crossed paths with. We wish you nothing but the best in your retirement. Congratulations!

Note: This is Jack's 2nd DAISY Award!