My husband, D, became an inpatient on the Med/Surge unit at NRMC after a fall resulted in an ER visit.  We entered the hospital on Tuesday. By this time, we had already been on a more than 15-year journey with Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia.  In all of these years, this was D’s first hospital stay.  
     
Needless to say, D and I were both feeling weary and anxious. I am so thankful that we had a nurse on staff named Mason Pittman. We learned that he had just graduated in December. Regardless of his experience, he far surpassed the care we received from anyone else we encountered during D’s stay. Mason was incredibly kind and patient. My husband spoke in a quiet voice and struggled to finish his sentences, but Mason would lean in close and listen. He was never in a rush and we knew that Mason really cared. 
     
No one could have taken better care of D’s needs (and mine) during those few days.  D was transferred to an inpatient rehab hospital in Shreveport on Thursday.  It was Mason who volunteered to walk with D’s wheelchair all the way outside to the van that would transport him there. Mason went above and beyond in providing excellent patient care.
     
D passed away at the rehab hospital in Shreveport the following Saturday.  When I think back over that time and all the emotions, I remain thankful to have seen the goodness in God in the faces of amazing nurses like Mason Pittman. For us, the best possible patient outcome was simply to feel loved and cared for. 
     
Mason Pittman provided that, and truly is a DAISY Nurse.