Northwestern Memorial Hospital is such a large facility. So many treatment centers. So many care providers. So many support staff. I’ve been a patient in your endocrinology department for about twelve years. The nature of my care requires that I come into the office every 10 to 14 days for that whole span of time. I’ve never had a single negative visit. The staff has always been competent, friendly and caring.

I’ve always worried that because of the size of Northwestern and because of the size of the business of Northwestern there might be a risk that I, the patient, might get lost or discounted in the process of running such a big business. That has never happened and I know why. It’s because of the effort, care, and commitment of your employees.

I’ve only known Nurse Nicole B for a few months. I’ve never particularly liked getting my treatment. It’s uncomfortable and makes me tense. What I noticed about Nurse Nicole B’s management of my treatment is that she specifically takes time to distract me from that focused tension. She takes the time to ask me about my week and share an upbeat story of her own week. We might share a common interest story about animals or travel. She listens. She shares. She cares. Shortly after our conversation starts, I’m refocused and much better prepared for my treatment. Then we schedule my next appointment. I leave feeling good about myself and glad that I had come.

Big company? Maybe, but I wasn’t treated like a number. I was treated like an individual. Someone identified my fear and took the time to effectively manage it. Big Hospital? Yes, but I see Endocrinology as part of my community, maybe even a part of my neighborhood. Nurse Nicole B and other providers and staff have been caring for me and caring about me for more than twelve years. I’ll keep coming back for my regular visits. Thanks for doing it right.