I would like to specifically nominate my first night Nurse, because I was uneasy regarding my hospital stay due to my disorder. With this disorder, changes in my environment, as well as changes to my body (such as the pain, swelling and swallowing difficulties of my surgical recovery) are very difficult to cope with. My disorder makes any transition difficult, and Richard was able to actively listen to me as I told him my difficulties, and he skillfully directed the conversations we had toward making the best choices to keep me comfortable, as pain-free as my medication options allowed. He even helped me determine when to contact my medical team (my surgeon) to discuss side-effects as well as coordinate changes to my recovery plan and make new orders for medications that were better suited to my evolving situation.

My disorder can be unpredictable in terms of sensitivities to medications and unfamiliar circumstances, and he was truly a great ally in guiding me and allowing me full expression to be an active collaborator in my care, so I was able to feel at ease and at-home in what could have easily been a very frightening situation for me. He is knowledgeable and was always on top of my care, and I always felt like his top priority even when he was not in the room. He kept me updated every step of the way, and even when my medical team changed my medication regimen, he kept me focused and positive and informed, and he even helped me adjust to some late-night changes and contact both my surgeon and my mother to make sure everyone was on the same page

He was so skillful in communicating and empathizing with me, when that can be quite the challenge, because my disorder is an often misunderstood condition. I always felt understood and well-attended to with him, from the beginning of his shift all the way until some escalated struggles at 3am and 5am! He even debriefed the incoming team, to provide them with insights into my disorder and my special needs and helped me plan a constructive conversation with my medical team to ensure my care was transferred smoothly and make sure my second day started off on the right foot. I also get very talkative when I get "loopy" (I was given medicine prior to coming onto the floor), and he was a great listener whenever he had available time. Thank you!

Some people just have tremendous empathy and Richard truly bridged the gap between my mind and his capable, compassionate care. Care I could feel, when, often, I feel misunderstood. So, his understanding and willingness to learn about my special needs, and act accordingly, is a precious skill and a necessity for people with special needs like myself. He is an asset to any care team, and I wish him success and a prosperous future in the medical profession! And especially thanks for doing his great work during COVID times! Y'all are godsends, and he is a true embodiment of the Caring Profession.