My brother J was in a serious motorcycle accident. He had numerous surgeries at Albany Medical Center as a result of this accident. J spent time in both the Trauma ICU and the Surgical ICU.
A family member was at J's side 24/7 during his entire stay at Albany Med. We were able to observe the care given by the medical center's staff. In our opinion, the entire hospital staff, from doctors, nurses, aides, cleaners, and everyone we encountered were the best of the best. Each person was kind, caring, engaged with both patients and visitors, helpful and professional.
One nurse in particular among all these good people stood out to J and his family, Lydia Zotto of the Surgical ICU staff. At different times each of us commented on how attentive, compassionate and professional Lydia is. She seemed to be everywhere at once; when J needed attention, she was quick to respond. Some days it was apparent that Lydia was responsible for the care of several patients at once, yet it seemed none of them wanted for her attention. While at the same time Lydia went out of her way to ensure my brother was as comfortable as possible at all times considering his circumstances. We could not thank her enough for the care she gave J.
When J was transferred out of the ICU, we were sorry to have to leave Lydia's care. J had been in a private room for about three days when he was both surprised and blessed with a visit from this kind, caring, wonderful woman on her day off. J, our sister, a family friend and I were extremely moved by Lydia's kind act. For a person to take time out of her time away from the hospital to visit a former patient is an extraordinary act of compassion.
In the course of our conversation Lydia mentioned, in addition to being a full-time nurse, she is also a professional musician, a harpist. She said she had her harp in her car and asked if J would like to hear her play. Of course, my brother was eager to hear a private harp presentation. Lydia returned to her car and brought her five-and-a-half-foot tall harp back and played several beautiful songs for us.
We were moved to tears by this wonderful act of kindness. For a young woman to go out of her way to visit a patient on her day off is in itself a commendable thing; to spend over an hour visiting and then to go get her harp and spend an additional 40 minutes playing Irish tunes for the benefit of a sixty year old guy is one of the kindest things we have ever witnessed.
For going beyond the call of duty to show her compassion to an injured man by this extraordinary act of kindness we believe Lydia is a true DAISY Nurse.