I don't remember Mary's last name, only that she was awesome! I wish I had written it down. As I sit the morning after my surgery and have literally no mark from my IV, that in itself demonstrates her experience and expertise as a pre-op nurse. She was kind, caring, and, above all, professional. She was my first nurse of the day, but I know I was not her first patient. She has had many patients, which was obvious from her experience. She treated me as though I was her only patient. I have had too, too many surgeries. Unfortunately, even one when the nurse could not even get my IV started, the anesthesiologist arrived and did it for them. I did not experience any pain when Mary inserted it, nor when it was removed. The fact that Mary has been at Eisenhower for so long that she remembers doctors who treated me 25 years ago and have since retired speaks to the fact that turnover on the same-day surgery unit is low. She is a part of that.

The tech and the younger nurses clearly look up to and learn from their peers, and this is a well-run unit. She directed the OR tech very professionally, and he was also very caring, respectful, and professional. Even though I was in pre-op for a surgery that I had been anxious and losing sleep over for weeks, once I was admitted and met Mary, she put me at ease. Your nurse makes such a difference, and I want to thank her and all of the nurses she leans on for support because I know that it is your colleagues who get you through the long days. I am praising God today for all of you and praying for the blessings and strength that you so much deserve.