I was a patient on this floor for 15 days following major cancer surgery. I had many nurses assigned to me, and others that assisted me over those many days and 2 shifts. Some of the nurses really stood out to me as excellent based on having the best balance of both top notch technical skills and knowledge of their duties, as well as demonstrating a genuine care and connection to me as a person. One such nurse is John Natividad.

John was my nurse on day shift for my first 3 days. That was a pivotal time for me to get good care, and I had a lot of needs. I couldn't have had better luck than to get John. He was very professional and very warm. He attended to all my needs and also encouraged me to get out of bed and try to walk. He gently held onto me and guided me down the hall, even when I was resisting. At one point, I needed an NG tube, and I was fighting it. He was the one having to insert it, and he never stopped being kind and helping me get through it. He also helped me with other difficulties. He even made me a customized band to go around me for abdominal support, with a special cutout for my ostomy bag! Days later, when I saw him in the hall and he wasn't assigned to me, he still really cared about how I was doing. I am grateful to John!

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I have been here for a little over a week and John has several times gone above and beyond his regular job duties for me. I had a total laryngectomy, and he is always making sure I'm not going through so much pain and trying to make me as comfortable as possible. He truly cares about his patients. He has done so much for me in the short time I've been here; he is always in a good mood, very empathetic to my feelings, tries to do whatever he can to keep my spirits up, and always understands where I am. He deserves to be recognized for what a great job and person he is.